Source : Sahel weather July & august 2024 

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Diplomatic relations between Benin and Niger are on the road to a clear thaw. First of all, the mediation of former Beninese presidents Nicéphore Soglo and Yayi Boni was a good omen. Back in Cotonou, they were also received by the Beninese Head of State, Patrice Talon. What emerged from this meeting was a willingness to "take the necessary steps to rapidly re-establish the dialogue desired by all parties". 

Subsequently, Niger's transition leader Abdourahamane Tiani sent a delegation to meet the Beninese president. The Niger authorities are proposing the creation of a tripartite commission to look into resolving the crisis. In another sign of détente, Benin's new ambassador to Niger, appointed in June 2023, was finally able to hand in his credentials. In addition, according to certain sources, the loading of Niger crude oil from the Sèmé Kpodji pipeline could well resume. However, the border between the two countries remains officially closed, although Benin and Nigeria have now opened a bypass to facilitate the flow of goods.

In the north of the country, the jihadist threat continues to loom ever larger. On the night of July 24-25, a terrorist attack in the W National Park killed at least five rangers and seven soldiers, according to the NGO African Parks. This South African organization, which specializes in park management in Africa, has been looking after Benin's parks since 2017. As a reminder, in January 2024, the Beninese government reported a toll of 43 civilians and 27 soldiers killed, in jihadist attacks.

The Beninese news was also punctuated by a bizarre affair: the "Frère Hounvi affair". Real name Steve Amoussou, "Frère Hounvi" - who has since been in exile in Togo - is particularly known for his biting criticism of President Talon's governance. In fact, on the evening of Monday August 12, the cyber-activist was "kidnapped" in Lomé by hooded individuals, taken away and then detained at Cotonou's economic and financial brigade. Alerted to national public opinion, the Beninese opposition immediately called for mobilization to secure the release of "Frère Hounvi". Togolese civil society also voiced its indignation at the arrest, judging it to be "a serious violation of the rules governing the conditions of arrest". Finally appearing on August 20 before the Criet (Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism), "Frère Hounvi" is being prosecuted for "direct provocation to rebellion, initiation and publication of false news on social networks and harassment by electronic means." He will stand trial on October 7.

The day after Independence Day, the President pardoned 27 opposition activists arrested and put on trial following the electoral violence of 2019 and 2021. However, there is still no release in sight for the two leading opposition figures: Reckya Madougou and Joël Aïvo. Meanwhile, the publication of a report by Amnesty International has brought the country's appalling prison conditions back into the spotlight. According to the NGO's Executive Director: "Eleven prisons are three to six times overcrowded. There is a lack of water, and the right to health is not respected. Several people in detention have served between 5 and 20 years in prison without being tried."