An unexpected event occurred in the Beninese political arena this weekend. It is the combination of the Progressive Union (UP), a party of the presidential majority, and the Party of Democratic Renewal (PRD), led by Mr Adrien Houngbédji. This fusion gave birth to a new party: UP The Renewal. The official ceremony of this newborn party was held on Sunday 21 August at the Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto-Novo between the leaders of the two parties and many other guests.
“We did it. These are the first words of Mr. Adrien Houngbédji, after the fusion of his party the PRD with the UP on Sunday 21 August. The two political parties have decided to walk hand in hand to better impose themselves on the national territory. This solemn act marks the beginning of a new history for the activists of these two parties. The UP Renewal is the fruit of the dedication of the leaders of the two political parties and their will to provide the Beninese people with better living conditions and to work for social cohesion. “What is happening is the result of a long process, the fruit of audacity and determination to leave the comfort zones in order to dare a new life for Benin and its people,” explains the Honourable Gérard Gbénonchi, second Vice President of the former UP.
Adrien Houngbédji’s warning.
These two political parties that came together had a history of disagreement and conflict. So terror took its place as well as betrayal. This disagreement has left its mark on the hearts of each of these political partners. “This long tradition of struggles, conflicts and betrayals has left deep scars in our consciences and in our behaviour. The least we can say is that this tradition has destroyed trust and engendered mistrust, if not defiance,” says Mr Adrien Houngbédji.
However, the president of the former PRD affirmed that he had total confidence in the leaders of the new party but did not fail to issue a warning while putting the Beninese people on notice. “The Scorpion who asked the frog to take him on his back to cross the pond and who, in the middle of the crossing, stung the frog, suffered the same fate,” he said.
Mr Joseph Djogbénou, head of the UP Renewal.
For this new beginning, Mr Adrien Houngbédji left the leadership of the new party to Joseph Djogbenou, former president of the Constitutional Court. Thenational headquarters of the new party is located in Porto-Novo, in the Houinmè district.
Charbel Ahouandjinou (stag)
