Benin President visits Mauritania to discuss security cooperation

Benin President Romuald Wadagni was on an official visit to Mauritania on the 6th of July. According to RFI, Wadagni met with his counterpart, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, to speak about security issues in the region as well as cooperation, particularly in the counterterrorism field. Benin’s new president actively looks for partners as his country is increasingly threatened by terrorism, seeking alliances with Sahel states and neighbours. 

If the declaration did not end with grand declarations, it did lead to engaged conversations about security issues. For political scientist Backary Gueye, “Benin is facing security issues, particularly diplomatic issues with Sahel Alliance States and particularly with Niger, whose shared border is closed. This visit aims to reinforce cooperation between the two countries in the face of growing instability, a threat that Benin has particularly felt in the last few years, as an increase in attacks by supporters of the Al Qaeda-affiliated JNIM has been reported in the north of the country. 

Cotonou, Benin’s capital, has announced a decision to mimic the Mauritanian model, as it is perceived as particularly efficient for its counter-terrorism programs, compared to other Sahel and West African countries. 

Political expert Backary Gueye further told RFI that “Mauritania has an expertise it could share. It notably hosts the College of Defence of the G5 Sahel, an important institution that could possibly host and teach Benin officers and army staff to consolidate their education around terrorism and counterterrorism. Additionally, these new meetings would lead to potential sharing of intelligence between the two countries. 

Benin’s new President has been attempting to create more links and relations with different West African and Sahel countries. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s defence minister, said on July 2nd that the creation of a new tri-border military sector with Benin and Niger is in the works. There is no timeline on this plan to secure the Nigeria-Benin-Niger border, with Musa calling it a “work in progress”.

Soon after he was elected president, Wadagni visited multiple states and launched diplomatic relations with a few Sahel states which had lost or cut contact with Benin.

RFI, Maghrebi.org