Benin Bar Association: Me Angelo Hounkpatin, new President

The Beninese Bar has a new Master, a new Bâtonnier to make it simple and precise. This is Master Angelo Hounkpatin. He succeeds his colleague Me Prosper Ahounou. Promoted to the head of the Benin Bar Association, about a year ago, Angelo Hounkpatin is invested in his mission this Thursday 5 January 2023. Several personalities (senior judges of the Supreme Court, representatives of the Chambers of Notaries and Bailiffs) including the President of the Conference of Bars of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Me Sédjro Koffi Dogbéavou marked their presence at this ceremony of charges coupled with the solemn return of the Benin Bar Association.

He is acclaimed by all the lawyers regularly registered on the roll of the Benin Bar Association on Saturdays 18 December 2021 at the Maison de l’Avocat in Cotonou during the elective General Assembly of the Bar of Benin. He is the one who was chosen by his colleagues to carry out the reforms initiated by his predecessor.. Opportunity seized by the President of the Bar Conference of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Me Sédjro Koffi Dogbéavou to say all the good things he thinks of the Benin Bar. He thanked the Bâtonnier who had left, Me Prosper Ahounou for all he has been able to do for the Bar of his country and that of Uemoa. “I came to encourage us and light and especially maintain the flame of the development of regional integration. If we tackle it, we will succeed in pleasing our community”, he declared while wishing a good mandate to the new Beninese President: “You got here through your merit and your journey. I wish you a good mandate ».

For the outgoing Bâtonnier, it is “a great joy to have been at the service of all”. He took the opportunity to take stock of the 36 past months. As activities to his credit, Me Prosper Ahounou spoke, among other things, about the construction of the house of the Bar Association, establishing transparency in finance, the organization of Capa in 2020 with the key 38 candidates declared admitted, health insurance coverage for all his colleagues, the partnership signed with the Paris Bar in Bordeaux for capacity building and support... "With determination and in an atmosphere of fraternity and fellowship, we really gave ourselves to the task. I can assure you that I have never felt tired while dealing with the files of our common house ", he blurted out happily.

taking command, Me Angelo Hounkpatin reassured that the files left by his predecessor are considered as already made. “I must confess my dear colleagues that I learned a lot at his side. Thank you very much for this beautiful transmission.. Because I am fully accountable for his mandate., he confided. Faced with challenges, he intends to be the president of all without any exclusion: "Independence, brotherhood and dignity must always be our leitmotif”. This is why he will say "We have an obligation to assert our values ​​in accordance with the rules that govern us.. Because we have only one concern, the balance of the scales ».  He also confided that he intends to establish partnerships with the order of any English-speaking and French-speaking country that so desires.. He did not forget to thank the various Presidents of the Bar and the Minister of Justice.  The time has truly come for Master Angelo Hounkpatin who has never ceased to play his role as a defender of noble causes so well.. He will lead the Beninese bar for the next three years. The giving of presents by the 38 young trainee lawyers at the Bâtonniers released and invested put an end to the ceremony.

Damien TOLOMISSI