Fight against terrorism: Niger puts its skills at the service of Benin.

On a visit to Niamey, Beninese Defence Minister Fortunet Alain Nouatin signed a military cooperation agreement with the Nigerien government on Monday 11 July 2022. The aim is to strengthen security links between Benin and Niger. This agreement also provides for strategic support to enable Benin to combat terrorism effectively. A phenomenon that has been striking at its northern borders for months.

Benin can now rely on Niger to better deal with jihadist attacks on its territory. A military cooperation agreement is signed between the two countries on Monday 11 July 2022. It was during the visit of the Beninese Minister of Defence Fortunet Alain Nouatin to Niamey. This act marks the willingness of the Beninese government to draw inspiration from the Nigerien model in the fight against terrorism. Benin and Niger will, in accordance with the agreement signed, work on several key points that are already being studied. These include intelligence sharing, air assistance to track jihadist movements and joint operations between the two armies.

More than cooperation, Benin is regaining confidence through this agreement.

For Benin’s Minister of Defence Fortunet Alain Nouatin, this is a new era for Benin’s defence and security forces. The signing of this agreement marks the beginning of a much closer cooperation on the security level between Benin and Niger, adds Fortunet Alain Nouatin before adding: ” It has been ten years since Niger gradually recovered and dominated the situation. And we know that of all the Sahelian countries that have been impacted by this scourge, the best response is in Niger, so Benin has come to benefit from these experiences.

The Nigerien government’s assurances to Benin.

On the Niger side, Defence Minister Alkassoum Indatou reassured of his country’s availability to share its experience with Benin in the fight against terrorism. “If our brothers in Benin need our support today, it is our duty to do so. We will do everything so that Benin does not experience what we have experienced,” he continued..

The first known deadly attack in northern Benin was in December 2021. Depuis, plusieurs autres attaques sont enregistrées malgré le déploiement des forces de défense et de sécurité dans la zone. The signing of the military cooperation agreement with Niger is therefore a breath of fresh air for Benin in the fight against terrorism on its territory.