European Council President Charles Michel announced on Friday that the European Union will extend nearly €50 million in aid to Benin to bolster its security measures and counter-terrorism initiatives, which will include the acquisition of drones.
Benin, alongside its neighboring countries in the Gulf of Guinea such as Ghana, Togo, and Ivory Coast, confronts an escalating threat of violent spillover from conflicts in the Sahel region to the north.
“We are in the process of mobilising 47 million euros for this year alone,” Michel said after a meeting with Benin President Patrice Talon.
This funding is earmarked specifically for “the procurement of drones or other intelligence-gathering aircraft” as well as “equipment and resources dedicated to enhancing security and combating terrorism.”
Prior to his visit to Benin, Michel reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering stance against terrorism during his trip to Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The northern regions of Benin and Togo have been subjected to attacks and infiltrations by militants associated with groups like the Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda, which operate in the Sahel and are increasingly expanding southwards.
Of particular concern is the northern border with Niger, especially following the 2023 military coup in Niger and the withdrawal of French troops from the Sahel.
To bolster border security, Benin has deployed 3,000 troops to its northern territories and is in the process of recruiting an additional 5,000 personnel.
While Beninese authorities have been reticent about discussing the security situation in the north, reports indicate that the country has faced approximately 20 incursions from across the border since 2021, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced security measures.
