00:00Benin's 2026 presidential campaign hasn't even started, but there's already a clear
00:06favourite. The ruling coalition's candidate, Romuald Wadagny. The 49-year-old, who served
00:14as finance minister for the last 10 years, is President Patrice Tellon's designated successor.
00:20With the main opposition candidate barred from running, Wadagny is heavily favoured to win
00:25next month's race for the highest office. At a recent event in Cotonou, Wadagny laid out his
00:32platform before a crowd of supporters. He highlighted his plans to tackle extreme poverty
00:38and shore up the country's security. Tellon is stepping down after two terms in office.
00:45He's presided over strong economic growth and efforts to modernise the West African nation.
00:51But critics say it's been at the expense of the democratic process.
00:55accusing him of restricting political opposition and curtailing basic freedoms.
