Bénin opposition challenges government on Niger military intervention

Following the military coup d’état in Niger on July 26, 2023, international reactions swiftly emerged. Key organizations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and nations including the USA, France, and Russia quickly declared their positions. In Bénin, President Patrice Talon’s involvement and the announcements regarding a potential armed intervention have not been universally welcomed. Western media outlets suggest Bénin might commit troops alongside ECOWAS to confront the military junta. Many stakeholders, including the Catholic Church and various political figures, have openly stated that a military solution is inappropriate, advocating instead for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

The elected members of the opposition party, « Les Démocrates », have decisively questioned the government regarding the situation, submitting a series of 19 urgent inquiries. Their primary concern revolves around the justification for Bénin’s military engagement, particularly considering the fraternal bond between Bénin and Niger. They expressed apprehension about adherence to the Béninese constitution, the safety of deployed troops, and the potential for conflict escalation and its broader implications for both the civilian population and Bénin itself.

Beyond military considerations, significant economic and diplomatic concerns were also brought to light. The decision to close borders with Niger could lead to substantial repercussions for the Autonomous Port of Cotonou and the overall Béninese economy, which is already feeling the effects of ECOWAS sanctions. In response to rising prices for essential commodities and the impact on economic actors, the opposition demands concrete answers from the government.

Dialogue is widely seen as a preferred solution by numerous regional and international players. The opposition lawmakers reminded Patrice Talon of his own statements promoting dialogue as an alternative to coups d’état and urged him to implement such an inclusive dialogue within Bénin. The current period calls for careful consideration, thorough questioning, and, most importantly, the pursuit of peaceful and consensual solutions for the region’s future.

oral parliamentary debate on government action

On July 26, 2023, a military coup d’état occurred in Niger, interrupting the constitutional mandate of President Mohamed Bazoum. This event provoked responses from various states worldwide and from sub-regional and regional organizations, including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations. On Thursday, August 10, 2023, the Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS member countries convened an extraordinary summit. At its conclusion, decisions were made, notably the order to deploy the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

In light of this, the government of Bénin, through its various declarations, has committed to deploying Béninese troops as part of the ECOWAS contingent intended to confront the military junta in power. Considering this governmental choice to involve the Béninese state in a conflict against the sovereign and brotherly people of Niger, which appears to violate Article 101 of our constitution, and acknowledging that the sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS Heads of State conference during its session on July 30, 2023, in Abuja, are already having severe repercussions on our country’s economic, social, and security situation, the national assembly, under the provisions of Article 108 and its various paragraphs of the National Assembly’s internal regulations, requests the government to address the following concerns:

1. What measures has the government taken to seek parliamentary approval regarding the deployment of Béninese troops to the ECOWAS operational theatre in Niger, should the threatened military option be implemented, in accordance with Article 101, paragraph 1, of our constitution, which states: « The declaration of war is authorized by the National Assembly »?
2. Given the prospect of this conflict against the sovereign people of Niger, several countries, such as France and the United States, have made arrangements for the evacuation of their citizens from Niger. What provisions has the Béninese government made for its citizens residing in Niger?
3. As Bénin and Niger share a fraternal bond, what justifies Bénin’s decision to send its troops to attack Niger, while other ECOWAS countries, not bordering Niger, decline to participate?
4. What is the estimated strength of Béninese soldiers and the essential logistical support the government intends to provide to the ECOWAS contingent? What is the projected cost of Bénin’s potential participation in this operation, and who will bear these expenses?
5. In the event of an aggression against our sister nation, Niger, can our government guarantee that no lives of Nigerien civilians or our own soldiers will be lost?
6. What provisions has the government made for each soldier in terms of bonuses, and for each soldier’s family in the event of the death of Béninese soldiers in the theatre of operations?
7. Given that Bénin shares a border with Niger, what assurance can the government provide that, in the event of retaliation by the Nigerien army, there will be no casualties on Béninese soil?
8. Can the government reassure the public that, in the event of war with Niger, potential jihadists will not exploit the situation to infiltrate our country, as was observed in Libya?
9. Would it not be more prudent to prioritize political and diplomatic dialogue, as was the approach taken in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea?
10. Is it not possible for Bénin to lead, as it has in the past within ECOWAS, in preventing coups d’état by actively addressing electoral exclusions, imprisonment, and the exile of political opponents?
11. Why is ECOWAS quicker to react against military coups d’état while tolerating institutional coups, as witnessed in Côte d’Ivoire in 2020, Guinea in 2021, and Bénin in 2019, 2020, and 2021, among other nations?
12. Is the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum’s power more valuable than the lives of thousands of Nigerien civilians and ECOWAS contingent soldiers who might perish?
13. What will be the future of Niger after such a conflict?
14. The populations within the ECOWAS region no longer trust 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?
15. Following the extraordinary ECOWAS summit, President Patrice Talon spoke of dialogue as an alternative to coups d’état. When will the inclusive dialogue, so desired by the Béninese opposition, finally take place?
16. What are the impacts of closing our borders with Niger on the Autonomous Port of Cotonou?
17. What are the effects of the sanctions already imposed by ECOWAS on the Béninese economy and its citizens?
18. What immediate measures has the government already implemented to counteract the rising prices of essential commodities?
19. What provisions does the Béninese government have in place for economic actors already suffering from the consequences of ECOWAS sanctions (including port operators, transporters, and other business entities)?