Amidst a backdrop of escalating security threats across the African continent, Benin and South Africa are deepening their strategic partnership.
A high-level meeting commenced on Wednesday in Cotonou to strengthen their military cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration.
The third session of the Joint Military Commission between Benin and South Africa officially opened in Cotonou and will run for three days. Delegations from both nations are examining strategies to bolster their defense cooperation, particularly in confronting asymmetric threats, while simultaneously working to solidify regional peace and stability.
According to the Beninese government, this meeting reflects a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral military cooperation and exchanging valuable experiences and expertise. It builds upon a military agreement initially signed between the two countries in 1994, which has fostered closer ties between the governments and peoples of Benin and South Africa. In his opening remarks, Captain Régis Ahoueya, Director of Military Cooperation and Peace Operations, expressed optimism that the proceedings would be conducted with rigor and shared ambition, leading to concrete actions.
Dr. Thabekile Gamede, leading the South African delegation, commended both countries’ dedication to strengthening their partnership. She highlighted the capacity of South Africa’s defense industry to supply military equipment across the continent and voiced hope that the discussions would uncover new collaboration opportunities, with recommendations to be submitted to the respective ministers.
Brigadier General Abdul Back Sanni Bachabi, Chief of Staff to the Beninese Minister of National Defense, who was present at the opening, described South Africa as a “strategic and inspiring partner.” He called for a structured and adaptable cooperation framework, emphasizing complementarity and a focus on African solutions for African challenges. The Beninese government stated that this session would also review the current status of military cooperation, assess training needs, and identify prospects for increased technical support between the two nations.
Benin has been grappling with an escalation of jihadist attacks for several years, particularly in its northern regions. Authorities attribute these assaults to armed groups originating from a neighboring country. The most recent attack, in early May, officially resulted in the deaths of 54 members of the Beninese army.
While South Africa has not reported any jihadist attacks on its own territory, it has been cited in several UN reports as a country allegedly used by the Islamic State organization to finance its operations, notably in the Central African Republic.
AC/fss/abj/APA