The military in power in Niger said Tuesday evening (September 12th) that they had denounced a military cooperation agreement concluded in 2022 with neighboring Benin, which they accuse of "considering aggression" against their country. In a statement read on national television, the military regime in Niamey said it "repeatedly called for compliance with the obligations" of this agreement signed on July 11, 2022 with Benin that they decided to "denounce". The military who came to power in Niger in a coup d'état on July 26, say that Benin has "decided to consider aggression against Niger instead of supporting it".
"The Republic of Benin has authorized the stationing of military mercenaries and war materiel in the perspective of an aggression wanted by the France in collaboration with certain countries" of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against Niger, they assured Tuesday while reiterating their "desire to avoid escalation". ECOWAS has been threatening military intervention in Niger for several weeks to restore constitutional order and reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who is being held prisoner and refuses to resign.
Information Sharing
This agreement with Benin included the exchange of intelligence, air assistance to monitor the movements of jihadists and joint operations between the two armies of Benin and Niger. Northern Benin, bordering Niger and Burkina Faso, two countries plagued by recurrent jihadist violence, has been the scene of attacks and incursions by these groups in recent months.
This weekend, the new authorities in Niamey had also accused the France of preparing an "aggression" by deploying "forces" in several West African countries. Accusations denied by Paris, which does not recognize the military regime. Several military agreements with the France were also denounced by the generals in power on August 3, who claim that the presence of the 1,500 French soldiers on their territory is now illegal.