In a symbolic event blending national celebration and diplomatic milestone, Haiti officially reopened its embassy in Cotonou, Benin on May 18, 2026, coinciding with the 223rd anniversary of the Haitian national flag. The ceremony opened with heartfelt performances of the Beninese and Haitian national anthems by clarinetist Landry Padonou and vocalist Ayam Sèdjro, as the two national flags were raised side-by-side, a visual testament to the growing bonds between the two nations across diplomatic, historical, cultural and scientific spheres.
Hosted under the unifying themes of revolutionary memory, mutual fraternity, and cross-cultural exchange, the reopening drew a diverse and high-profile crowd of attendees. Representatives from diplomatic missions across the globe—including France, Cuba, the United States, Japan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the European Union, the Russian Federation, the United Nations, the Apostolic Nunciature, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)—joined the gathering. Local attendees included Beninese municipal leaders, members of the Haitian diaspora community based in Benin, embassy partners, working journalists, and multiple crowned traditional authorities from across Benin, whose presence underscored the deep spiritual and historical connections that link the two countries.
Speaking on behalf of all the traditional monarchs in attendance, His Majesty Guidimadjèdjè, King of Porto-Novo, emphasized the profound kinship between the two populations, stating “Haitians are Beninese and Beninese are Haitians.” He closed his remarks by offering traditional prayers for lasting peace and shared prosperity for the Haitian people, who currently face widespread political and humanitarian instability.
Dominique Brutus, the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Haitian mission in Benin, framed the reopening as a deliberate policy priority for Haiti’s governing bodies. She noted that the move underscores Haiti’s commitment to expanding its diplomatic footprint across the African continent, while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening long-standing historical bonds with African nations and the global Caribbean diaspora. Brutus also reflected on the historical weight of the ceremony’s date: May 18 marks the anniversary of the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803, during the country’s revolutionary fight for independence from colonial rule.
Marius Loko, Director General of External Relations of Benin and head of the Beninese official delegation, welcomed the renewed diplomatic presence as a new, dynamic chapter in bilateral relations. He reaffirmed Benin’s shared commitment to deepening collaboration across cultural, educational, and scientific domains in the years ahead.
Following the official diplomatic proceedings, the celebration continued in a warm, fraternal atmosphere, featuring a lineup of artistic and cultural performances that highlighted shared heritage. A standout moment was a slam poetry performance by celebrated Beninese poet Amagbégnon Eklou, which centered Vodou cultural traditions as a vital, living link between communities along the Gulf of Guinea and Caribbean populations, most notably Haiti. The event concluded with a communal gathering of all guests, a symbolic closing that sealed the friendship, solidarity, and mutual cooperation that define the modern relationship between Benin and Haiti.