Highlights: Benin: President Talon expresses his willingness to normalise relations with Niger. He especially mentions Niger, Benin's neighbour with whom the borders have been closed since July 2023, the date of General Tiani's coup d'état. Benin was very committed to the military option mentioned as a possible solution to reinstate President Bazoum, which the Nigerien junta did not appreciate, nor did the Beninese opposition. "The ball is well in the court of the de facto authorities, who must give assurances of their willingness to discuss," he said.

Speaking to MPs on Thursday morning, December 21, Benin's President Patrice Talon expressed "his willingness to quickly normalise relations with the countries where coups have taken place" in the country.

Benin: President Talon expresses his willingness to normalise relations with Niger

Speaking to MPs on Thursday morning, December 21, Benin's President Patrice Talon expressed "his willingness to quickly normalise relations with countries where coups have taken place" in his State of the Nation address. He especially mentions Niger, Benin's neighbour with whom the borders have been closed since July 2023, the date of General Tiani's coup d'état. Benin was very committed to the military option mentioned as a possible solution to reinstate President Bazoum, which the Nigerien junta did not appreciate, nor did the Beninese opposition.

Beninese President Patrice Talon. (Illustrative image) Etienne LAURENT / POOL / AFP

By: RFI Follow

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The seizure of power by force of arms must be condemned by every convinced democrat. We have done so, by expressing our disapproval, thus remaining in line with the values of our country, but also by being aligned with regional, sub-regional and continental organizations, as well as with the international community," said President Talon who stressed that Cotonou does not want sanctions to make the lives of the population more difficult: "It is clear that Benin has never wanted or wanted the sanctions imposed by EU or international bodies to have the effect of complicating people's daily lives and making their lives even more difficult.

We are convinced that there is a time to condemn, a time to demand and a time to take stock, or even take note. But taking note requires our interlocutors to play their part by reassuring, by clearly expressing their intentions, but also their expectations vis-à-vis the international community, which is not yet the step," the Head of State added.

Today, this means that the ball is well in the court of the de facto authorities, who must give assurances of their willingness to discuss and also to listen to the legitimate concerns of the Community to which their country belongs. Otherwise, it would be a blank cheque given to anyone who wants to destabilise our states by force of arms and call democracy into question.

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Patrice Talon: "The ball is well in the court of the de facto authorities... »

Jean-Luc Aplogan

#DiscoursPr | #Wasexo | #Prbenin |

🚨🚨📢 Full audio of the message of the President of the Republic, Mr. @PatriceTalonPR, on the State of the Nation

In accordance with the provisions of Article 72 of the Constitution of December 11, 1990 as amended by Law No. 2019-40 of December 07, <>... pic.twitter.com/ftuadPzatt

— Presidency of Benin (@PresidenceBenin) December 21, 2023

Read alsoMajor trading partner, Benin closes its border with Niger

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Abdourahamane Tiani

Benin: President Talon expresses his willingness to normalise relations with Niger

Benin: President Talon expresses his willingness to normalise relations with Niger

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