Amidst escalating jihadist concerns along Benin’s northern border, the Beninese government has unveiled two new military decorations intended to recognize and reward soldiers combating the mounting threat.
The announcement comes as Benin contends with the repercussions of conflicts in the Sahel, where extremist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have intensified their assaults, aiming to expand their influence southward.
According to a statement issued by Benin’s government, the National Defence Medal and the Combatant’s Cross will honor individuals exhibiting exceptional bravery in combat or deserving of encouragement.
The Combatant’s Cross specifically recognizes soldiers who have been killed or wounded in action.
Odilon Koukoubou, a political scientist and security expert, highlighted that these medals aim to uplift and motivate Benin’s security forces, whose active combat engagements have been relatively infrequent since the country gained independence in 1960.
“The army has not been heavily called on at the front for national defence against an external enemy,” he said.
While official commentary on jihadist activities in northern Benin is infrequent, the nation shares borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, where sporadic incursions have been reported, with approximately 20 incidents confirmed by Beninese forces since 2021.
With France’s recent military drawdown in the Sahel region, concerns regarding security have surged, particularly along the borders adjoining Benin and its Gulf of Guinea neighbors, such as Ghana, Togo, and Ivory Coast.
The Beninese government has taken proactive measures to bolster its armed forces. Notably, a recent law was passed to provide support for the families of soldiers killed or missing in action. Additionally, the country initiated a recruitment campaign to enlist an additional 5,000 troops to fortify border security earlier this year.
