[1] In the government of national unity formed in the midst of the Guinea-Bissau Civil War, Benante was chosen as Minister of Defense by the junta in January 1999.
[4] The opposition questioned the existence of this coup attempt, and Benante demanded that concrete evidence be presented.
[5] Carlos Gomes Júnior was elected to replace Benante as PAIGC President at a party congress in January–February 2002.
[8] In the election, Benante was re-elected to the National People's Assembly as a PAIGC candidate in the 21st constituency, Cacheu e Sao Domingos.
[9] Following the election, at a meeting of the PAIGC Central Committee on 6 December 2008,[10] PAIGC Second Vice-President Raimundo Pereira was elected as the party's candidate for the post of President of the National People's Assembly,[10][11] defeating Benante and Hélder Proença.