Benin report - Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

CHAPTER EIGHT: GENERAL CONCLUSIONS: CONSTRAINTS AND PROSPECTS__________________________________________________________________________C H A P T E R E I G H T8. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS: CONSTRAINTS ANDPROSPECTS8.1 Introduction995. The assessment exercise in Benin followed the signing of the MOU on 31March 2004. On completion of this assessment exercise – and considering thespecific constraints faced by Benin in meeting its development objectives – theAPR Panel acknowledges its appreciation of the determination and effortsmade by the newly elected authorities to achieve the stated objectives.996. The desire to make progress is obvious and seems to guide the leaders andstakeholders met throughout the exercise. However, this desire andcommitment, though clearly expressed, should be translated into concreteactions by eliminating the following constraints (some of which could evenconstitute risks).8.2 The constraints997. At the political level, a major risk is the capacity of the government to dealwith pressure groups active in the implementation of reforms. These reformsare focused on ensuring the participation of all stakeholders in the reformprocess, ensuring accountability, and engaging in the fight against corruption.998. The new authorities, who came to power through the last elections 75 , enjoy theeffective support of the population and have started carrying out reformsaimed at guaranteeing – in an adequate manner and for all citizens – the rule oflaw, security and peace. The pursuit of the reforms by the new governmentwas also facilitated by the stability of the Beninese public administration.However, administrative red tape and a sincere desire for change remain issuesof concern.999. Concerning accountability, the institutions in charge of the control andregulation of executive power, though officially put in place, are not fullyoperational. This is due (notably) to a lack of adequate human resources. TheExecutive still has supremacy over the legislative power. The APR Panel alsonoted the inadequate participation of the private sector and civil society due totheir low capacity to effectively take part in decisions that concern them.75 The international community commended, in April 2006, the transparency that characterised theelection of the president of the republic. This election (the third of its kind since the National SovereignConference of February 1990), as well as the organisation of the legislative elections in 2003, havestrengthened the democratic renewal of the country and confirm that Benin has, once again, succeededin a peaceful handover of power.307