VZCZCXRO1380
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0053/01 0291154
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291154Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1292
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAR/USDAO ACCRA GH
RUEAWJB/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COTONOU 000053 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AF/EPS, AND DRL 
DEPT PLS PASS USTR 
PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM KMCA BN
SUBJECT:  BENIN:  PRESIDENT YAYI's STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  In his annual year-end State of the Nation address, 
President Yayi emphasized that the Government of Benin (GOB)has made 
steady progress towards prosperity and stronger democracy, despite 
the international economic crisis and regional threats to peace and 
security.  Yayi underscored his government's achievements in 
democracy and the rule of law, governance, economic development, 
education, public health, security, and diplomacy.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  Benin's President Yayi delivered his fourth annual State of the 
Nation Address at the National Assembly in Porto-Novo on December 
30, 2009; National Assembly deputies, Cabinet members, and the 
diplomatic corps were in attendance. 
 
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Strengthening democracy and the rule of law 
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¶3.  Yayi outlined significant GOB reforms to Benin's electoral 
system, especially the November 23, 2009 launch of the Extended 
National Census (RENA) for compiling the Permanent Digital Electoral 
List (LEPI) to assure transparent and fair presidential elections in 
¶2011.  He announced that a committee of independent experts are 
working to put in place a National Autonomous Electoral Committee 
(CENA) to manage and monitor 2011 Presidential and legislative 
elections.  Yayi's government has implemented an integrated program 
to reform Benin's judicial and legal system through courthouse 
rehabilitation and construction (largely funded by Benin's 
Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact).  Efforts to consolidate 
democratic governance include legislation to address political party 
funding, establishment of a national Ombudsman's office (Mediateur), 
and a permanent committee for facilitating relations between the 
government and labor unions. Yayi emphasized that his government 
seeks dialogue with all political constituencies and civil society 
to meet the challenges that Benin faces. 
 
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Building efficient government 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4.  President Yayi detailed steps his government has taken to assure 
modern, development-oriented administration with better management 
of human resources, non-partisan recruitment, and streamlined 
personnel procedures.  In 2009 the GOB recruited 19,300 new civil 
servants and disbursed CFA 220 bn (USD 484.6 mn) on salaries and 
benefits. 
 
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Improving the economy 
--------------------- 
 
¶5.  President Yayi blamed the international economic crisis for 
hindering his government's efforts to promote economic growth. 
Benin's economy grew 2.5 per cent in 2009, down from 5.1 per cent in 
¶2008.  He noted that Benin's inflation rate decreased from 7.9 per 
cent in 2008 to 3.2 per cent in 2009.  Agricultural prices dropped 
owing to increased production.  Yayi also outlined successful 
privatizations of wood, telecom, and port enterprises.  He 
emphasized that the partnership between Benin and the U.S. through 
the Millennium Challenge Corporation-funded Millennium Challenge 
Account/Benin (MCA/Benin) has permitted the GOB to modernize the 
port of Cotonou.  Yayi also announced a GOB initiative to make Benin 
a digital hub for Africa, as well as plans for digitizing GOB 
administrative procedures. 
 
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Boosting agriculture 
-------------------- 
 
¶6.  President Yayi noted that the GOB spent CFA 47 bn (USD 103.5 mn) 
to promote agricultural development in 2009.  GOB agriculture 
initiatives led to increased corn and rice production.  He outlined 
GOB government efforts to regularize land tenure through MCA/Benin?s 
Access to Land project. 
 
-------------------- 
Increased employment 
-------------------- 
 
¶7.  President Yayi noted that the GOB expended CFA 5 bn (USD 11 mn) 
to fund 600 business projects which provided employment and 
income-generating activities for youth.  The GOB also provided CFA 2 
bn (USD 4.4 mn) for 300 additional youth-related projects.  Yayi 
added that the GOB provided small loans to 600,000 women for small 
enterprise development; this program will be extended to include up 
to a full million women. 
 
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Promoting education and culture 
------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  In pursued of broader education, in 2009 the GOB provided 
additional training for teachers, abolished primary and secondary 
education fees, built new schools, and increased teacher's wages. 
The GOB spent CFA 5.4 bn (USD 11.8 mn) on these initiatives.  The 
GOB has prepared a new national policy for sport and culture, 
renovation of historical palaces, and participation in international 
cultural and sporting fora. 
 
---------------- 
Improving health 
---------------- 
 
¶9.  Yayi listed GOB expenditures of CFA 60 bn CFA (USD 132 mn) for 
medical equipment and to build and rehabilitate hospitals.  He also 
pointed to extended vaccination programs and wide efforts to prevent 
malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. 
 
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Ensuring public safety 
---------------------- 
 
¶10.  The President detailed new measures to fight rising crime and 
abuse of women and children, including capacity-building programs 
for courts and law enforcement personnel and organizations.  The GOB 
also undertook a public awareness campaign to fight drug trafficking 
and trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals. 
 
 
¶11.  COMMENT:  The GOB made laudable progress towards its 
development goals in 2009.  President Yayi emphasized the U.S. role 
in this progress during his address, including Millennium Challenge 
Corporation support for economic growth, USAID's health and 
education efforts, and support for Benin's security forces through 
programs for police and military forces implemented through 
Department of Justice and Department of Defense programs.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
KNIGHT