Cotonou has become the stage for fresh political maneuvering as the Cauris Force for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) continues to strengthen ties with other major parties in preparation for the 2026 general elections.
On Monday, 8 September, Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, president of the Republican Bloc (BR), hosted FCBE national executive secretary Paul Hounkpè, alongside members of both parties’ political offices. The meeting focused on prospects for collaboration and strategies to navigate the strict requirements of the electoral code.
Alassane Soumanou Djimba, honorary president of the FCBE, said the talks were motivated by necessity.
“The code has its requirements and by analyzing it, we understood that it is difficult, perhaps even impossible, for a single party to meet the requirements, especially with regard not only to the 10% at the national level, but also to the 20% per constituency,” he explained.
He added that coalitions and governance agreements had become essential to meet these challenges.
Joseph Amavi Anani, vice-president of the BR, confirmed the party’s openness to cooperation.
“The Republican Bloc is committed to dialogue, consultation and inter-party exchanges, regardless of their persuasion. (…) Being an opponent is not about destruction, but about bringing new ideas, bringing contradiction,” he said.
According to him, discussions are expected to lead to two agreements: one parliamentary, to satisfy the 20% threshold per constituency, and another governance pact linked to sponsorships.
This development comes just days after the FCBE met with the Progressive Union for Renewal (UPR) on 5 September.
That rapprochement, now being formalised, is expected to cover both the January legislative elections and the April 2026 presidential race.
For political observers, these moves highlight the FCBE’s determination to reposition itself on the national stage. Recent statements by key figures such as Bembéréké mayor Yaya Garba and former MP Idrissou Bako have reinforced the party’s strategy of building broad alliances to secure influence in the upcoming polls.
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