Addressing MPs this Thursday morning, December 21, the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, expressed in his State of the Nation address “his desire to quickly normalize its relations with the countries where the coups took place”. He particularly mentions Niger, Benin's neighbor, with which the borders have been closed since July 2023, the date of General Tiani's coup. Benin strongly supported the military option, which was mentioned as a possible solution to reinstate President Bazoum, which neither the Nigerian junta nor the Beninese opposition welcomed.
Published on: December 21, 2023 – 8:32 p.m. Modified on: 12/22/2023 – 12:30 a.m
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Patrice Talon dedicated the first part of his speech to Niger, a neighbor with which relations have deteriorated since General Tiani's military coup.
“The seizure of power by force of arms must be condemned by every convinced Democrat. We did this by expressing our disapproval and thereby remaining in line with our country's values, but also by allying with sub-regional and continental regional organizations as well as with the international community,” explained President Talon, who stressed that Cotonou did not wanted the sanctions to complicate the lives of the population: “It is clear that Benin has never wanted or desired that the sanctions imposed by Community or international authorities lead to making the daily life of the people more complicated and difficult.” more difficult. »
“We are convinced that there is a time to judge, a time to demand and a time to take stock or even take note. But to take note of this, our interlocutors must do their part by reassuring and clearly expressing their intentions, but also their expectations to the international community, which is not yet the right step,” the head of state added.
This means today that the ball is definitely in the court of the de facto authorities, who must demonstrate their willingness to discuss and also listen to the legitimate concerns of the community to which their country belongs. Otherwise it would be a blank check for anyone who would use weapons to destabilize our states and question democracy.
Patrice Talon: “The ball is definitely in the court of the de facto authorities…”
Jean-Luc Aplogan
Domestically, he recalled all the good points that international financial institutions had given his economic management. He praises the microcredits for women, the infrastructure, the ongoing electricity autonomy projects and drinking water for all in 2025. He also mentions his bill on legal aid for poor litigants.
The opposition MPs did not boycott the speech, they were present in the plenary hall. “Litanies of recognition that were received internationally were not the international people who ordered them, they were ordered by the Beninese elected officials. The state of the nation shows how the people of Benin are doing. I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. “Deeply disappointing,” says opponent Eric Houndété.
Patrice Talon made no political announcement and directed some remarks to his predecessor, Boni Yayi, the Democratic president.
Also read: Benin, a key trading partner, closes its border with Niger