NIGER: Break in military cooperation with Benin
The military authorities in power in Niger have announced a break in military cooperation between Niamey and Cotonou, accusing the latter of supporting a military intervention that France is planning to carry out against Niger in collaboration with certain West African countries. The Niger authorities had promised a precise response to this attack. And the countries involved would be considered as enemies of Niger.
No more military cooperation between Niamey and Cotonou. CNSP soldiers have terminated their agreement with Benin. They denounce a certain collusion aimed at attacking the State of Niger. They are denouncing collusion aimed at attacking the state of Niger, while ignoring the fraternal ties that have existed between the two countries for many years.
The military cooperation agreement with Benin covered the exchange of intelligence, aerial assistance to track the movements of jihadists and joint operations between the Beninese and Nigerien armies.
Is this a deterioration in the relationship between the two countries? For the moment, the CNSP’s denunciation of the military cooperation agreement marks the beginning of a historic turning point. Since the military coup of 26 July against President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger has been under threat of military intervention coordinated by ECOWAS and supported by France, or vice versa.
The north of Benin, which borders Niger and Burkina Faso, is plagued by recurrent jihadist violence. Attacks and incursions by these groups in recent months bear witness to this.
