By John Ikani
Niger has canceled a military agreement with neighboring Benin on Tuesday over concerns of possible armed involvement to restore the country’s constitutional order in West Africa.
The decision was revealed on national television by Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the government spokesman.
He stressed that Benin had repeatedly disregarded the obligations outlined in the July 2022 accord.
This move comes shortly after the military alleged that France had deployed two military helicopters and 40 armored vehicles in Benin, which raised suspicions of potential aggression against Niger.
Despite their historical ties and mutual interests, “Benin appears to have chosen a path of considering aggression against Niger instead of offering support,” said Abdramane.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had previously threatened military intervention and imposed substantial sanctions on Niger following the turmoil on July 26, when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former presidential guard commander, led a military operation that removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power.
Abdramane added, “The Republic of Benin has authorized the stationing of soldiers, mercenaries, and war equipment with the intention of aggression desired by France, in collaboration with some ECOWAS countries against our country, despite the military cooperation agreement binding our two states.”
Military leaders have accused France of aiming to “intervene militarily” to reinstall Bazoum as the President.
