COTONOU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Paul Hounkpe, an opposition candidate in Benin's presidential election held on April 12, has announced his resignation from the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin party.

In a letter issued Tuesday to the party's deputy national executive secretary, Hounkpe, who had been serving as national executive secretary, noted that they had worked together for more than six years, from September 2019 to April 28, 2026.

"Following the results of the presidential election and at a time when reflections are underway regarding the party's future direction, I have decided to step down in order to consider how I can continue to be of service to the group and to the nation," he wrote.

Hounkpe also expressed his gratitude to all members of the FCBE for their support and trust throughout this period.

On April 17, Benin's Constitutional Court said that Romuald Wadagni and his running mate Mariam Chabi Talata won 4,575,449 votes, while Hounkpe and Rock Judicael Hounwanou received 278,297 votes. ■