Niger-Benin Crisis: President Patrice Talon remains loyal to his french patterns and against the interests of the people
Between the interests of the peoples of Benin, Niger, and those of the imperialists, President Patrice Talon has made his choice. He has chosen to remain loyal and subservient to his master at the Elysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron, thereby betraying the trust of the Beninese people who entrusted him with the management of Benin’s affairs in 2016 and again in 2021.
By deciding to stand against the brotherly people of Niger and jeopardize the economic relations between Niger and Benin under the influence of France, President Patrice Talon is prioritizing his own interest and that of his French allies over the greater interests of the Beninese nation and the Nigerien people.
It should be noted that since the beginning of the socio-political crisis in Niger, stemming from the events of July 26, 2023, the Beninese president has consistently favored decisions by the ECOWAS against Niger. This organization is also controlled by the former colonial power, France. As a reminder, apart from the closure of borders with Niger causing enormous losses for economic actors in Benin and Niger, President Patrice Talon is willing to support a military aggression against the Nigerien people.
This has been followed by the violation of bilateral agreements from 2019 for the transportation of hydrocarbons from Niger, under the pretext of the non-opening of the Benin-Niger border by Niamey authorities. He has also accepted to offer his country to France for the secret installation of French military bases, serving as rear bases for terrorists currently causing unrest in Niger.
The Beninese president, loyal to his commitments to his French allies, continues to provoke Nigerien authorities by first expelling Nigerien inspectors from the Autonomous Port of Cotonou and recently taking Nigerien citizens hostage. This behavior of submission to the imperialist system is denounced by well-informed Beninese citizens who understand the stakes of his hostility towards Niger.
