Bénin: the National Assembly assigns Mediator of the Republic duties to the ces first vice-president

In a significant move to streamline the country’s institutional framework, the 10th legislature of Bénin convened in a plenary session on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. At the Palais des Gouverneurs, lawmakers deliberated on and passed a legislative amendment to Law No. 2009-22, which governs the office of the Mediator of the Republic.

This legislative shift effectively ends the practice of appointing a separate individual to the post of Mediator of the Republic. The reform aims to optimize the functioning of state bodies by consolidating responsibilities.

Moving forward, the duties associated with this conciliation institution will be automatically handled by the first vice-president of the Economic and Social Council (CES). Under the current structure of the CES, this substantial mandate falls to Razacki Amouda Issifou.

Razacki Amouda Issifou will now balance his existing role as the first vice-president of the consultative body with the critical missions of the Mediator of the Republic.

The newly designated Mediator brings a wealth of legal expertise and high-level state experience to the position. Razacki Amouda Issifou has had a distinguished career in Bénin’s public service, having previously served as both vice-president and president of the Constitutional Court.

His professional history also includes a tenure at the National Assembly, where he chaired the influential Laws Commission. Furthermore, he served as the secretary general for the inaugural National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA) in 1996 and held the office of mayor from 2010 to 2015. His background also includes various strategic leadership roles within the Ministry of Justice.

This deep understanding of administrative and constitutional mechanisms is expected to be a vital asset in managing the reorganized office of the Mediator of the Republic.