Benin court backs constitutional overhaul, extending terms after coup scare

• Court approves seven-year terms for president and lawmakers
• New Senate introduced amid heightened political tensions

COTONOU, BENIN – Benin’s Constitutional Court has approved a sweeping constitutional overhaul that lengthens political mandates and creates a Senate, marking a pivotal institutional shift just days after an attempted coup.

The ruling validates legislation adopted by the National Assembly in November that extends the terms of the president, lawmakers and local officials from five to seven years, while introducing a second parliamentary chamber. The court rejected multiple legal challenges, clearing the way for the reforms to take effect.