Benin's moderate opposition party, the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE), announced over the weekend its decision to join the country's ruling coalition, marking a significant political realignment ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Romuald Wadagni.

The announcement came following a national council meeting of the party held in Cotonou, Benin's largest city. Party leaders confirmed the move would take effect on May 24, the date scheduled for Wadagni's swearing-in ceremony, formally ending the FCBE's position in the opposition.

The decision follows the outcome of the presidential election held on April 12, in which FCBE candidate Paul Hounkpe secured 5.73% of the vote, against an overwhelming 94.27% won by Wadagni, according to results certified by Benin's Constitutional Court.

The FCBE's move into the governing coalition signals a desire by the party's leadership to remain politically relevant and participate in shaping national policy under the incoming administration. The party's moderate stance had long distinguished it from more hardline opposition factions in the country's political landscape.

Wadagni's landslide victory and the FCBE's subsequent pivot toward the ruling coalition suggest a consolidation of political power in Benin as the country prepares for a new presidential term. The transition is seen as an indicator of relative political stability in the West African nation.

The inauguration on May 24 is expected to mark the formal beginning of a new chapter in Beninese governance, with a broadened coalition base potentially giving the incoming administration a wider mandate to pursue its development and reform agenda.