Beninese opposition challenges government on potential Niger military intervention

Following the military coup in Niger on July 26, 2023, international responses were swift. Key organizations such as ECOWAS, the AU, and nations like the USA, France, and Russia quickly articulated their positions. Within Bénin, the actions of President Patrice Talon and discussions regarding a potential armed intervention have met with varied reactions. Western media reports suggest Bénin might commit troops alongside ECOWAS forces to confront the military junta. Numerous stakeholders, including the Catholic Church and various political figures, have openly expressed reservations about a military approach, advocating instead for diplomatic solutions to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Members of the opposition party, “Les Démocrates“, have vocally challenged the government regarding the situation, submitting a comprehensive list of 19 urgent inquiries. Central to their concerns is the rationale behind Bénin’s potential military involvement, particularly given the long-standing fraternal bond between Bénin and Niger. They have raised alarms about adherence to the Beninese constitution, the safety of deployed troops, and the risk of conflict escalation, along with its potential repercussions for the civilian population and Bénin itself.

Beyond the military aspect, significant economic and diplomatic anxieties have also emerged. The choice to close borders with Niger carries the potential for substantial ramifications for the Autonomous Port of Cotonou and the broader Beninese economy, which is already feeling the strain of ECOWAS sanctions. Confronted with escalating prices for essential goods and widespread impacts on economic operators, the opposition demands clear and actionable responses from the government.

Dialogue is increasingly seen as a favored approach by numerous regional and international stakeholders. Opposition representatives have reminded President Patrice Talon of his past statements advocating dialogue as a counter to coups d’état, urging him to initiate a similar inclusive dialogue within Bénin. The current moment calls for careful consideration, thorough questioning, and, most importantly, the pursuit of peaceful, consensual resolutions for the region’s future.

oral inquiry with parliamentary debate for the government

On July 26, 2023, a military coup d’état took place in Niger, abruptly ending the constitutional term of President Mohamed Bazoum. This incident provoked strong reactions from various states globally and from sub-regional and regional bodies, notably ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN. Subsequently, on Thursday, August 10, 2023, heads of state and government from ECOWAS member countries convened an extraordinary summit. This meeting concluded with several resolutions, including 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 pronouncements, has opted to commit Beninese troops to the ECOWAS contingent intended to confront the ruling military junta. Considering this governmental decision to involve the Beninese state in a potential conflict against the fraternal and sovereign people of Niger, a move perceived as violating Article 101 of the Beninese constitution, and given that sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS heads of state at their July 30, 2023, session in Abuja are already severely impacting Bénin’s economic, social, and security landscape, the national assembly, exercising its authority under Article 108 and its subsections of the National Assembly’s internal regulations, formally requests the government to address the following critical concerns:

1. What measures has the government undertaken to seek parliamentary approval regarding the deployment of Beninese troops to ECOWAS operations in Niger, should the proposed military option proceed, in accordance with Article 101, paragraph 1 of our constitution, which states: “the declaration of war is authorized by the National Assembly”?
2. Considering a potential 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 Beninese government made for its nationals residing in Niger?
3. Given the fraternal relationship between Bénin and Niger, what is the justification for Bénin agreeing to send its troops to attack Niger, especially when other ECOWAS member states, not bordering Niger, have declined to participate?
4. What is the estimated number of Beninese soldiers and the primary logistical support the government intends to provide to the ECOWAS contingent? What is the projected cost of Bénin’s potential involvement in this operation, and who will bear these expenses?
5. Should an intervention occur against our fraternal nation, Niger, can our government guarantee that no lives of Nigerien civilians will be lost, nor those of our own soldiers?
6. What provisions has the government established for each soldier in terms of bonuses, and for each soldier’s family in the event of a Beninese soldier’s death during operations?
7. As Bénin shares a border with Niger, what assurances can the government provide that, in the event of retaliation by the Nigerien army, there will be no casualties on Beninese soil?
8. Can the government guarantee that, should a conflict with Niger erupt, potential jihadists will not exploit the situation to infiltrate our country, as was observed in Libya?
9. Would it not be a more prudent course of action to prioritize political and diplomatic dialogue, similar to the approaches taken in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea?
10. Is it not possible for Bénin to once again lead within ECOWAS in preventing coups d’état by actively combating electoral exclusions, the imprisonment, and the forced exile of political opponents?
11. Why does ECOWAS appear more eager to react against military coups d’état while tolerating institutional coups, such as those witnessed in Côte d’Ivoire in 2020, Guinea in 2021, Bénin in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and in other nations?
12. Is the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum’s authority more valuable than the lives of thousands of Nigerien civilians and ECOWAS contingent soldiers who could perish in such an undertaking?
13. What future awaits Niger following such a conflict?
14. The populace within the ECOWAS region has lost faith in 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 emphasized dialogue as an alternative to coups d’état. When can the inclusive dialogue, so desired by the Beninese opposition, be expected?
16. What are the repercussions of closing our borders with Niger on the Autonomous Port of Cotonou?
17. What are the impacts of the existing ECOWAS sanctions on the Beninese 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 Beninese government have in place for economic stakeholders (such as port operators, transporters, and other business entities) who are already suffering from the consequences of ECOWAS sanctions?