Bénin’s opposition challenges government on potential Niger military intervention

Following the military takeover in Niger on July 26, 2023, international reactions were swift and pronounced. Major bodies such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and powerful nations like the USA, France, and Russia quickly articulated their stances. In Bénin, the pronouncements of President Patrice Talon and the prospect of an armed intervention have not been universally welcomed. Western media reports indicate that Bénin might contribute troops alongside ECOWAS forces. However, many influential voices, including the Catholic Church and various political figures, have openly declared that a military solution is ill-advised, advocating instead for diplomatic channels to resolve the ongoing crisis.

The elected representatives of the opposition party, « Les Démocrates », have not hesitated to formally question the government on this critical situation, presenting a comprehensive list of 19 urgent inquiries. At the core of their interrogation lies the justification for Bénin’s military engagement, particularly when considering the deep fraternal relationship between Bénin and Niger. They voice concerns over adherence to the Béninese constitution, the safety and security of any deployed troops, and crucially, the potential for the conflict to escalate, with severe repercussions for the civilian population and for Bénin itself.

Beyond military considerations, significant economic and diplomatic concerns have also been brought to the forefront. The decision to close borders with Niger is predicted to have substantial negative consequences for the Autonomous Port of Cotonou and the broader Béninese economy, which is already feeling the strain of ECOWAS sanctions. Faced with rising prices for essential commodities and adverse impacts on various economic stakeholders, the opposition demands concrete answers from the government.

Dialogue is emerging as a preferred solution for numerous regional and even international actors. Opposition lawmakers remind President Patrice Talon of his own previous statements emphasizing dialogue as an alternative to coups d’état, urging him to implement such an inclusive dialogue within Bénin. This period calls for careful reflection, thorough questioning, and, most importantly, the pursuit of peaceful and consensual solutions for the future stability of the region.

Parliamentary Interpellation: Oral Question with Debate for the Government

On July 26, 2023, a military coup d’état occurred in Niger, prematurely ending the constitutional mandate of President Mohamed Bazoum. This event triggered reactions from numerous states worldwide and from sub-regional and regional organizations, including notably 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, concluding with decisions that included ordering the deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger.

In response, the government of Bénin, through its various public declarations, has committed to deploying Béninese troops as part of the ECOWAS contingent designated to confront the military junta currently in power. Considering this governmental decision to involve the Béninese state in a potential war against the sovereign and fraternal people of Niger, which the opposition argues violates Article 101 of our constitution, and given that the sanctions imposed by the conference of ECOWAS Heads of State during its session on July 30, 2023, in Abuja, are already having serious repercussions on our country’s economic, social, and security situation, the National Assembly, by virtue of the provisions of Article 108 and its various paragraphs of its internal regulations, invites the government to provide responses to the following concerns:

1. What measures has the government undertaken to seek the opinion of parliament regarding the engagement of Béninese troops in the theater of ECOWAS operations in Niger, should the 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. In anticipation of this potential conflict against the sovereign people of Niger, several nations, such as France and the United States, have made provisions for the evacuation of their nationals from Niger. What arrangements has the government of Bénin made for its citizens residing in Niger?
3. Given that Bénin and Niger share a fraternal bond, what justifies Bénin’s agreement to send its troops to attack Niger, especially when other ECOWAS countries, which do not share a border with Niger, have declined to participate?
4. What is the projected number of Béninese soldiers and the essential logistical support that the government intends to allocate to the ECOWAS contingent? What is the estimated cost of Bénin’s potential participation in this operation, and who will bear these expenses?
5. In the event of an aggression against the brotherly nation of Niger, can our government provide assurance that no lives of Nigerien civilians will be affected, nor those of our own soldiers?
6. What provisions has the government made for each soldier in terms of bonuses, and for each soldier’s family in the tragic event of the death of Béninese soldiers in the theater of operations?
7. As Bénin is a country bordering Niger, what guarantee does the government offer that, in the event of retaliation by the Nigerien army, no casualties will be recorded on Béninese soil?
8. Can the government reassure the public that, in the event of a war with Niger, potential jihadists will not exploit the situation to infiltrate our country, as was the case in Libya?
9. Would it not be more prudent to prioritize political and diplomatic dialogue, as was successfully pursued in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea?
10. Is it not possible for Bénin to once again take a pioneering role within ECOWAS in preventing coups d’état by actively combating electoral exclusions, the imprisonment, and the forced exile of political opponents?
11. Why is ECOWAS more inclined to react against military coups d’état while tolerating