Patrice Talon pledges to 'miraculously' change Benin in 5 years

Benin’s president Patrice Talon has promised to turn the fortunes of his country around by the end of his five-year term in office.

He made the declaration at a press conference with his French counterpart, Francois Hollande in France.

The two leaders also announced an improvement in cooperation.

Talon, who was elected in March said leaders have a responsibility to improve the lot of their citizens.

“Those who govern have the responsibility to eradicate poverty. Benin is really a poor country. I am confident that I will bring a miraculous change in five years,” he said during a press briefing.

Talon won over 65 percent of votes cast in the second round of the presidential election in the small West African nation.

The election further enhanced the country’s democratic credentials as the then incumbent president, Thomas Boni Yayi stepped down at the end of his second term.

The French president said: “I personally congratulated him for his election which was of course very transparent in all aspects”.

Talon who had been critical of the previous administration, now has the task of diversifying Benin’s economy which relies mainly on agriculture, trade and exports and uplifting it from poverty.