Benin debunks construction of military base to host French forces leaving Niger

Benin denied Wednesday September 27 a report by a Nigerien media that a military base in the north of the West African country is under construction to house French troops leaving Niger.

In a statement, Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, the spokesperson for the President Patrice Talon’s administration rubbished the information that a military base is being built near the northern town of Kandi to house the French troops departing from Niger.

“I’d like to make it clear that, while I’ve asserted in due course that we benefit from the support of French, Belgian and American instructors in particular, no French military base is under construction in our country, and certainly not in the Alibori department,” Houngbédji underscored.

“Moreover, it is well known that the French and Belgian instructors in question left more than six months after completing their mission. To put it plainly, it’s all the ravings of sensation-seekers who, without any investigation, allow themselves to make unfounded assertions”, he stressed.

French President announced last week the imminent pullout of some 1,500 soldiers stationed in Niger, Benin’s neighbor. The withdrawal has been a pressing demand of current authorities of Niger where a junta seized power on July 26 after deposing west-backed leader Mohamed Bazoum.

Benin has been accused by Niger for proposing to be the entry point of French forces in the backdrop of a potential military intervention by the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS condemned the coup and in August 2023 said it has prepared a standby force to intervene in a move to restore Bazoum.

It is not the first reports of an alleged military base being built in Benin are emerging. In July, France’s envoy Marc Vizy denied a military presence in Benin to help curtail terrorism activities in the north.

The diplomat added that France and the West African country have military cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The European country, in line with the cooperation, sends instructors, the ambassador said.

Benin since November 2021 has been grappling with dozens of terror attacks. The army has lost 22 soldiers and 42 reported wounded according to Chief of Staff Abou Issa. At least 52 alleged terrorists have been killed while 72 have been arrested.