Romuald Wadagni elected president of Benin with over 94% of votes
via Lefaso.net1 min read
Benin held its presidential election on April 12, 2026, to choose the successor to the outgoing head of state, Patrice Talon, who completed his two constitutional terms. The autonomous national electoral commission CENA announced that Romuald Wadagni, an independent candidate seen as the successor to the outgoing president, won the election in the first round with over 94% of the votes. His sole opponent, Paul Hounkpè, received nearly 6% of the votes. Voter turnout was approximately 58.7%. The president-elect will serve a seven-year term, an increase from the previous five-year term, following a recent constitutional revision.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
Pascal Sawadogo, coach of the Stallions Ladies, has announced the 28-player squad for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations CAN in Morocco, scheduled from July 25 to August 16, 2026. The team includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, eight midfielders, and eight forwards. Burkina Faso is in Group B alongside Côte d'Ivoire, Tanzania, and South Africa. The Stallions Ladies will play their first match against Côte d'Ivoire on July 27.
Must ReadArgentina secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup 2026 semi-final on Wednesday, July 15, qualifying for the final. Despite being behind until the final minutes, Argentina staged a spectacular comeback with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez. The first half saw intense play with numerous fouls, and England initially pressed hard. A key opportunity for England came at the 33rd minute when John Stones' header from a Declan Rice free-kick was saved. Enzo Fernández also attempted a long-range shot at the 39th minute, which went just over the bar, ending the first half scoreless. In the second half, both teams showed more attacking intent. Julián Álvarez nearly scored for Argentina at the 47th minute, but Jordan Pickford made a save. England took the lead at the 55th minute with a goal from Anthony Gordon, assisted by Morgan Rogers. Argentina, the reigning world champions, struggled to equalize against a strong English defense, with attempts from Nicolas Gonzalez at the 69th minute and Mac Allister at the 76th minute being thwarted. However, Argentina turned the game around in the closing minutes. At the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández scored the equalizer with a long-range strike, assisted by Lionel Messi. In added time, Lionel Messi again proved decisive, setting up Lautaro Martínez for the winning goal. This victory sends Argentina to their second consecutive World Cup final, and Lionel Messi will play in his third World Cup final after 2014 and 2022
Orabank Burkina and Wave Burkina have introduced new Bank-to-Wallet and Wallet-to-Bank services, enabling instant and secure transfers between Orabank accounts and Wave mobile wallets. These services are available 24/7, allowing users to move funds directly from their mobile phones without needing to visit an agency. This partnership aims to bridge traditional banking with mobile money ecosystems, offering an opportunity for the unbanked population to access formal financial services and for existing bank clients to manage daily operations more easily. The interconnection provides the mobility and speed of mobile money while offering banking sector benefits such as secure savings, improved transaction traceability, and access to a wider range of financial products. Both partners confirm the solution complies with Central Bank of West African States BCEAO requirements, ensuring secure transactions, personal data protection, and a reliable user experience. Joël Ky, Country Director of Wave Burkina, stated this partnership demonstrates their commitment to bringing banking closer to the Burkinabè population and accelerating financial inclusion. Pathé Mbengue, General Manager of Orabank, emphasized the shared ambition to simplify clients' daily lives and bring financial services closer to the people. Orabank Burkina Faso is part of the pan-African Orabank group, operating in 12 West and Central African countries, with 30 agencies in Burkina Faso. Wave Mobile Money, operating in Bu