The High Council of Kings of Benin (French: Haut Conseil des rois du Bénin), sometimes simply referred to as the High Council of Kings (French: Haut Conseil des Rois) or HCRB, is a non-governmental organisation that represents the various non-sovereign monarchies based in Benin.

Structure

The current president of HCRB is Kpodégbé Toyi Djigla, the king of Ardra. Its current secretary general is King Gangorosuambou of Kika.[1]

The organisation is entirely made up by non-sovereign kings located within Benin. In order for a kingdom to be admitted to the organisation, it must have historical roots, have legal and political recognition, and have control over some piece of territory.[1] The sub-national monarchies in Benin do not have official, political authority within the republic, but they hold influence within their local area and are often courted by politicians for support.[2]

Activities

The HCRB often released statements on political issues within Benin, such as in 2015 when it called on the government to "to act in a spirit of responsibility and sacrifice" following violent incidents in May. It's unclear what impact these statements have.[2] In May 2022, the secretary general of the HCRB called on its members to no longer participate in political meetings or rallies.[3][4][5]

The group also advocates for further legal recognition of traditional authorities in Benin,[3][5] and has called on the Beninese government to create clear rules that must be met before someone may be recognised as a king, such as a kingdom having roots in history. Yèto Kandji, former Secretary General of the HCRB, stated in 2014 that the government did not wish to pass such a law.[6][1]

Yèto Kandji also claimed that the HCRB was created to advocate for development within communities in Benin, such as increasing access to safe drinkable water in local villages.[6]

History

Prior to the founding the HCRB, another organisation existed (and still exists) to represent the various kings of Benin, the National Council of Kings of Benin (French: Conseil national des rois du Bénin). However, the National Council had a power and leadership dispute, and the organisation split up. Some kings left to form the Supreme Council of Sovereigns (French: Conseil supérieur des souverains). The two structures competed with one another for influence, however, the National Council of Kings of Benin was already officially registered with the Ministry of Interior. Following encouragement from President Boni Yayi, the kings came together to end the dispute,[6] resulting in the High Council of Kings of Benin being founded in 2012.[2][7]

In 2015, the HCRB officially endorsed Sébastien Ajavon for the Beninese presidency.[8]

On 26 February 2021, Kpodégbé Toyi Djigla was re-elected president of the HCRB. A new executive office was also formed, containing 19 posts. Adjihinto, king of Zinvié Yevié, heads the General Treasury. King Latchèholou Guidimadjegbé of Avrankou was appointed General Reporter (French: Rapporteur général). King Nasounon of Banikoara and King Djaboutouboutou of Manigri were appointed as auditors. SABI Naina 3 of Nikki was appointed honorary president of the new executive office.[9]

In December 2021, the HCRB released a statement calling for a suspension of the enthronement of a new king of Sèmère, of which there were two pretenders - Issiaka Doli Yaya and Chagam Arouna Abdou Karim Tcholouféi 2. The enthronement of Tcholouféi 2 was authorised by the prefect of Donga, Eliassou Biao Aïnin. The HCRB disagreed with his intervention and suggested the prefect did not have the power to decide who can be king.[10][11]

In July 2022, the king of Wémé-Djigbé, Tossoholou Zoundjè Wandji Ganmasizo Toli Yélian, officially joined the HCRB.[1] Earlier in the year, Sèminvo Dowoti Désir also joined the HCRB. She was recognised as the "Queen Mother of the African Diaspora" (French: la Reine mère de la Diaspora Africaine).[12][13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Adhésion au Haut conseil des rois du Bénin : La cour royale des Tossonou accueillie sur tapis rouge". La Nation. 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-07-19. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  2. 1 2 3 "Benin: Kings in northern Benin, specifically in Borgou department; extent of their power in comparison with the power of political and civil authorities; a king's ability to force a woman to marry him; remedies available to a woman who refuses to marry a king (2014-April 2016) [BEN105509.FE]". www.ecoi.net. 2016-05-04. Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  3. 1 2 "Paix et concorde nationale : le message du Haut conseil des rois du Bénin". La Nation Bénin. 2022-05-09. Archived from the original on 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  4. ↑ "Bénin : le Haut conseil des rois du Bénin invite les rois à ne pas aller aux réunions politiques". La Nouvelle Tribune (in French). 2022-05-07. Archived from the original on 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  5. 1 2 Houngbadji, Cochimau S. (2022-05-08). "Bénin: les rois invités à s'éloigner des réunions et conclaves politiques". Benin Web TV (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  6. 1 2 3 "L'événement Précis – Yèto KANDJI, Roi d'Agonlin sous " L'Arbre à Palabres ": " Les administrations locales ne peuvent plus se passer des Rois du Bénin "" (in French). Archived from the original on 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  7. ↑ "Bénin: "les rois" à la recherche de leurs trônes perdus". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  8. ↑ "Benin - Présidentielle 2016: les rois choisissent Sébastien Ajavon". news.icibenin.com (in French). Archived from the original on 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  9. ↑ Actubenin, Adminsitateur. "Présidence du Haut conseil des rois du Bénin:Kpodégbé Lanmanfan reconduit pour un nouveau mandat | Benin : actualité, politique, Sport, Santé, Artetculture" (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  10. ↑ "Bataille de succession à Sèmère: le Haut conseil des rois du Bénin interpelle le préfet". Banouto (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  11. ↑ "Bénin : l'intronisation de Sa Majesté Chagam Arouna Abdou Karim Tcholouféi 2 contestée à Sèmèrè". TRIOMPHE MAG (in French). 2021-12-23. Archived from the original on 2022-08-24. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  12. ↑ "L'événement Précis – Adhésion au sein du HCRB : " Je suis chez moi ", se réjouit la Reine Mère Sèminvo Dowoti" (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-03-16. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  13. ↑ "Chefferie traditionnelle : La reine Sèminvo Dowoti Désir reçue dans le Hcrb". LE MATINAL (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-08-28. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
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