YD
Yvon Detchenou
Benin
Minister of Justice and Legislation
Biography
Minister of Justice and Legislation, Republic of Benin
Maître Yvon DETCHENOU, born in Covè (Benin), currently serves as the Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice and Legislation of the Republic of Benin, following his appointment by Decree No. 2023-156 of 17 April 2023.
He holds a distinguished academic background, having studied in France at Université René Descartes (Paris V), the Paris Institute of Criminology, and the University of Le Havre, where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.) in National, European and International Litigation.
An accomplished lawyer and member of the Bar Association of Benin, Maître DETCHENOU has held several senior positions within national and regional legal institutions. He previously served as President (Bâtonnier) of the Bar Association of Benin, Vice-President of the Conference of Bar Associations of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA, 2018–2020), President of the Data Protection Authority (APDP) since 2021, and Vice-President of the African Network of Data Protection Authorities.
He is the recipient of high national and international honours, including Commander of the National Order of Benin and Knight of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic, reflecting his integrity, leadership, and dedication to justice.
Deeply committed to human rights, the rule of law and institutional transparency, Maître DETCHENOU embodies an inclusive and humanistic vision of justice that places dignity and service to others at its core.
He speaks French and Fon and is inspired by the words of Louis Aragon : “By the time we learn to live, it is already too late.”
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