France pledges more security, education support to Benin
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged security cooperation and support to Benin as it fights rising threats of extremism
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday pledged security cooperation and support to Benin as it fights rising threats of extremism, as well as investments in education and a cultural center for the West African nation.
Macron made the pledges after meeting with Benin President Patrice Talon as part of a three-country tour to improve relations with nations in west and central Africa. Benin is Macron’s second leg of the journey after visiting Cameroon. He next heads to Guinea-Bissau.
“France promises support in air, intelligence and equipment as well as training for the defense and security forces of Benin,” said Macron in a press conference alongside Talon. “We are also going to meet Benin’s needs in terms of equipment and help the country to structure how it arms its army.”
Benin and neighboring Togo have suffered deadly recent extremist attacks, and are seeing increased risk of violence from al-Qaida and Islamic State-linked groups who are spreading further south from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
As France withdraws from Mali, it is restructuring its deployment of troops.
Macron promised to follow the needs of the African states “to fight against terrorism and come in to support in terms of training, equipment, and accompaniment.”
Macron also announced investments by France in education and culture in Benin, where more than a dozen artifacts were returned in 2021 after being looted by French colonial forces in 1892. The two had earlier visited the returned works of the royal treasures of Abomey.
Talon lauded the support from France, which will also include increased educational funding, and said the two countries would also develop an artistic center in Cotonou.