Benante is a lawyer by profession. 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. He was the only civilian member of the junta. Following the ouster of President Nino Vieira (who was also President of PAIGC) in May 1999, Benante, as the leader of reformists within PAIGC, was elected as the President of PAIGC on 9 September 1999, at the end of a party congress. Benante's candidacy was supported by the junta, and he received 174 votes against 133 votes for the only opposing candidate.