Following the military coup in Niger on July 26, 2023, international responses were swift. Key organizations such as ECOWAS and the AU, alongside nations like the USA, France, and Russia, quickly articulated their positions. Within Bénin, the involvement of President Patrice Talon and the prospect of armed intervention have met with considerable dissent. Western media reports suggested Bénin might commit troops to an ECOWAS force to confront the military junta. Numerous stakeholders, including the Catholic Church and various political figures, have openly advocated against a military approach, instead favoring diplomatic solutions to the unfolding crisis.
Representatives from the opposition party, « Les Démocrates », have directly challenged the government regarding the situation, submitting a comprehensive list of 19 urgent questions. Central to their inquiry is the rationale behind Bénin’s potential military involvement, particularly given the fraternal ties between Bénin and Niger. They expressed profound concerns about adherence to the Beninese constitution, the safety of deployed troops, and the potential for conflict escalation and its repercussions for both the civilian population and Bénin itself.
Beyond the military aspect, significant economic and diplomatic concerns have also emerged. The closure of borders with Niger stands to have substantial consequences for the Autonomous Port of Cotonou and the broader Beninese economy, which is already feeling the strain of ECOWAS sanctions. Confronted with rising prices for essential goods and widespread impacts on economic operators, the opposition demands concrete explanations from the government.
Dialogue is increasingly seen as the preferred resolution by numerous regional and international stakeholders. Opposition lawmakers reminded President Patrice Talon of his own past advocacy for dialogue as an alternative to coups d’état, urging him to initiate such an inclusive dialogue within Bénin. The current moment calls for careful consideration, thorough questioning, and, most importantly, the pursuit of peaceful and consensual solutions for the region’s future.
Oral question with debate for the government
On July 26, 2023, a military coup occurred in Niger, abruptly ending the constitutional mandate of President Mohamed Bazoum. This incident prompted reactions from various nations globally and from sub-regional and regional bodies, including ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN. Subsequently, on Thursday, August 10, 2023, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government convened an extraordinary summit. From this meeting, decisions were made, notably the directive to deploy the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.
In response, the Beninese government, through its various statements, has committed to deploying Beninese troops as part of the ECOWAS contingent intended to confront the ruling military junta. Considering this governmental decision to involve Bénin in a conflict against the fraternal and sovereign people of Niger—a move potentially violating Article 101 of our constitution—and acknowledging that sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS Heads of State conference during its July 30, 2023, session in Abuja are already severely impacting our nation’s economic, social, and security landscape, the national assembly, under Article 108 and its subsections of its internal regulations, requests the government to address the following concerns:
- What measures has the government taken to consult parliament regarding the deployment of Beninese troops in the ECOWAS operational theater in Niger, should the threatened military option be implemented, in accordance with Article 101, paragraph 1, of our constitution, which states: « a declaration of war is authorized by the National Assembly »?
- Given the prospect of this conflict against the sovereign people of Niger, several nations, including France and the United States, have arranged for the evacuation of their citizens from Niger. What provisions has the government of Bénin made for its nationals residing in Niger?
- As Bénin and Niger share a fraternal bond, what justifies Bénin’s decision to send its troops to attack Niger, while other ECOWAS member states not bordering Niger decline to participate?
- What is the projected number of Beninese soldiers and the primary logistical support the government intends to provide to the ECOWAS contingent? What is the estimated cost of Bénin’s potential involvement in this operation, and who will bear these expenses?
- Should an aggression against our sister nation, Niger, occur, can our government guarantee that no civilian lives in Niger, nor those of our own soldiers, will be lost?
- What provisions has the government made for each soldier regarding bonuses, and for each soldier’s family in the event of a Beninese soldier’s death in the operational theater?
- Given that Bénin shares a border with Niger, what assurance can the government provide that, in the event of a Nigerian army retaliation, no casualties will be recorded on Beninese soil?
- Can the government reassure the public that, in the event of a conflict with Niger, potential jihadists will not exploit the situation to infiltrate our country, as was observed in Libya?
- Would it not be wiser to prioritize political and diplomatic dialogue, as was pursued in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea?
- Is it not possible for Bénin to lead, as it has historically within ECOWAS, in preventing coups d’état by addressing electoral exclusions, imprisonment, and the forced exile of political opponents?
- Why is ECOWAS more inclined to act swiftly against military coups while tolerating institutional coups, such as those witnessed in Côte d’Ivoire in 2020, Guinea in 2021, and Bénin in 2019, 2020, and 2021, among other nations?
- Is the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum‘s authority more valuable than the lives of thousands of Nigerian civilians and ECOWAS contingent soldiers who might perish?
- What future awaits Niger following such a conflict?
- The populace within the ECOWAS region no longer trusts our organization, often labeling it a ‘union of Heads of State.’ What steps does Bénin intend to take to restore the reputation of this sub-regional body?
- Following the extraordinary ECOWAS summit, President Patrice Talon mentioned dialogue as an alternative to coups d’état. When can the inclusive dialogue, so desired by the Beninese opposition, be expected?
- What are the impacts of closing our borders with Niger on the Autonomous Port of Cotonou?
- What are the effects of the existing ECOWAS sanctions on the Beninese economy and its citizens?
- What immediate measures has the government already implemented to counteract the rising prices of essential commodities?
- What provisions does the Beninese government have for economic stakeholders already suffering from the repercussions of ECOWAS sanctions (e.g., port operators, transporters, business owners)?
