Joseph Fifamè Djogbénou (born 1969) is a Beninese politician, lawyer, and academic who has held influential positions across the legal and political spheres of Benin, often serving as a key ally and legal strategist for President Patrice Talon. His career includes high-ranking roles in government and the judiciary, followed by a move to lead the ruling political coalition.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Joseph Fifamè Djogbénou |
| Born | March 20, 1969, Abomey, Dahomey (now Benin) |
| Key Occupation | Lawyer, Professor of Law (Agrégé) |
| Current Role | President of the Progressive Union for Renewal (UPR) Party |
| Former Roles | President of the Constitutional Court of Benin (2018–2022); Minister of Justice (2016–2018) |
| Political Alignment | Pro-Talon (Led the majority coalition) |
| Academic Field | Private Law and Criminal Sciences |
Academic and Legal Foundation
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Legal Icon: Djogbénou is considered a high-power legal figure in Benin and the wider Francophone region. He holds a prestigious Agrégation in Private Law and Criminal Sciences from the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), graduating as the major of his promotion in 2009.
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Professor and Researcher: He taught law at the University of Abomey-Calavi, where he directed the Centre for Research and Study on Law and Judicial Institutions in Africa (CREDIJ).
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Personal Lawyer to Talon: Before entering government, he gained national recognition as the personal lawyer for businessman Patrice Talon during the highly publicized “poisoning plot” case that occurred under the administration of then-President Thomas Boni Yayi.
Political and Judicial Power
Djogbénou’s political ascent has been rapid and closely tied to the rise of Patrice Talon.
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Minister of Justice (2016–2018): Following Talon’s election in 2016, Djogbénou was appointed Minister of Justice and Legislation. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the creation of the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET), a special court that has since been criticized by the opposition and human rights groups for its role in prosecuting political opponents.
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President of the Constitutional Court (2018–2022): In a widely criticized move, Djogbénou transitioned from the executive branch to head the Constitutional Court of Benin, the nation’s highest constitutional authority. Critics alleged that his appointment compromised the court’s independence, leading to judicial rulings that facilitated the exclusion of opposition parties from the 2019 legislative elections and the 2021 presidential election.
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Resignation and Political Return: In an unexpected move in July 2022, Djogbénou resigned from the Constitutional Court, a year before his term was due to expire. Days later, he was appointed the President of the Progressive Union (UP) party, which later merged to become the Progressive Union for Renewal (UPR). This move positioned him as the clear political leader of the pro-Talon majority coalition ahead of the 2023 legislative elections.
Current Role and Future Influence
As the leader of the UPR, the dominant party in the National Assembly, Joseph Djogbénou wields significant political power. He is widely viewed as the architect of the political strategy to consolidate President Talon’s power and is frequently named in speculation regarding his own potential future presidential ambitions, especially following President Talon’s pledge to respect the two-term limit and step down in 2026.