Benin wants to “rapidly” normalize ties with coup-hit neighbours

During his state of the nation address in Parliament on December 21, President Patrice Talon of Benin expressed the country’s desire to re-establish ties with its core business partners in West Africa that have experienced unconstitutional regime changes. He emphasized the importance of promoting peaceful coexistence and stability, stating, “We want a world free of war and terrorism.”

In his speech, Talon called for a rapid restoration of relations with nations where coups have undermined democratic processes, specifically mentioning Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso as key partners. These countries were identified in Benin’s 2022 foreign trade report by the national institute of statistics and demographics as part of its 30 core business partners.

Talon reassured that Benin has never severed ties with its neighbors and has continuously sought to engage diplomatically with them. He highlighted, “Benin’s diplomacy has not failed to discreetly and repeatedly send messages to these brother countries, particularly Niger,” indicating a willingness to communicate despite the challenges.

However, he underscored that military leaders in these nations must cooperate and clarify their intentions and expectations regarding relations with the international community. Since 2020, the West African region has witnessed a series of coups, and Talon’s approach reflects a strategic pivot towards fostering dialogue and collaboration to ensure regional stability and economic cooperation.