The first Senate mandate comprises 25 members, sworn in at the National Assembly headquarters in Porto-Novo during a ceremony led by Élisabeth Pognon, the second oldest senator present. The inauguration included a formal protocol phase, highlighted by an opening address and an official group photograph, followed by closed-door deliberations. In her remarks, Élisabeth Pognon emphasized that the Senate’s creation stems from the December 17, 2025 constitutional revision, positioning it as a cornerstone of public governance. She underscored its potential to bolster institutional trust and political stability across the country.

The Senate’s responsibilities are distinct from those of the Constitutional Court, which adjudicates legal matters. Instead, the Senate exercises the powers vested in it by Article 113.1 of the Constitution. Among its key duties are safeguarding national unity, reinforcing state authority, and upholding democracy, peace, and political harmony. The Constitution also empowers the Senate to impose sanctions on public figures for violations of political or civic rights, under conditions it determines.

Another critical function of the Senate is issuing non-objection opinions on constitutional amendments, electoral laws, and regulations governing political parties and their operations. This authority places it at the heart of the legislative process for laws deemed vital to institutional functioning. The inaugural Senate includes 25 members, as mandated by the Constitution, comprising ex-officio representatives and appointees—including former public officials and retired defense and security officers. With this milestone, Bénin now operates under a bicameral parliamentary system, a structure unseen since the 1990 Constitution came into force.