Niger/Benin: Patrice Talon criticized for taking a stand against Niamey. The Beninese people call for the lifting of sanctions!
The repercussions of the coups d’état in West Africa are rooted in the different governmental realities of some pro-France leaders. People are tired of having to face situations of governance characterized by injustice, deprivation of freedom and exploitation under neo-colonialism, despite being in a sovereign state. However, ECOWAS, the so-called sub-regional organization that is supposed to tackle the causes in order to find solutions, focuses more on the consequences. The actions of corrupt heads of state in France’s pay in the face of terrorism are the causes, and coups d’état are the consequences. In Benin, Patrice Talon is criticized for taking stance against Niger.
Indeed, Benin has adhered to ECOWAS sanctions against Niger since the beginning of August.
Patrice Talon, the President of the Republic of Benin and his government intend to work for a so-called restoration of constitutional order in Niger, regardless of the cost to the Beninese economy.
This intention is manifested in practice at the border between Benin and Niger, where more than 600 trucks loaded with essential goods are parked.
Added to this is the likelihood of sending Beninese troops, if that is the ECOWAS option of last resort.
A situation that clearly reveals the position of this (pro-French) leader leaves no one indifferent.
Debates are animating social networks, focusing on Benin’s position and the steps that Patrice Talon should take to preserve the close ties between her people and those of Niger.
Public opinion is increasingly hostile to any military option. For some, Benin should not even close its borders, given that Niger is the main customer of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou.
Discussions in African parliaments revolve around these same issues. However, so far, no consensus has been reached in favour of sending ECOWAS troops to restore the terrorist president/sponsor, Mohamed BAZOUM, to his destabilizing role.
In Senegal, for example, parliamentarians are expressing their opposition to harsh sanctions against the Niger people.
They believe that Senegal’s accession to ECOWAS does not mean that it gives unlimited permission to a group of leaders to validate a war, especially since it took place without a referendum.
The Nigerian Senate is also reluctant to send troops.
In Benin, although the parliament is not in session, the opposition party the democrats, with 28 deputies, has expressed its point of view.
In a statement, the Democratic Party condemned and deplored the resurgence and spread of coups d’état in West Africa.
For them, these actions are the result of a governance characterized by injustice, deprivation of liberty, exploitation of populations, confiscation of institutions, obstruction of the expression of popular will, exclusion and manipulation of constitutions.
Thus, they urged the Beninese authorities to exercise prudence and political and economic realism in their decisions.
In ECOWAS, the Democrats party is calling for dialogue and diplomacy. As well as the Force cauris pour un Benin emergent (FCBE), which shares the same point of view.
In fact, almost all political parties in Benin are urging President Patrice Talon, who oscillates between pro-French and anti-French positions, not to implement ECOWAS sanctions against Niger.
However, it seems that the leader has already made a commitment and can no longer reverse this unfriendly move.
The sanctions imposed by ECOWAS hit the Nigerien people hard, who bear the heavy toll of truck blockades at the border.
More than 600 trucks full of essential goods destined for Nigeriens have been blocked.
This situation is a source of discontent among many Africans, especially as there is even less enthusiasm for sending military forces.
Justine Ako
