Benin: security cooperation at the center of exchanges between Emmanuel Macron and Patrice Talon
Benin's President Patrice Talon (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron (left) during a press conference at the Marina Palace in Cotonou on July 27, 2022, as part of Macron's official visit to Benin.
AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Benin wants to be attractive to investors.
And also become a regional cultural hub.
But the country is confronted with terrorism in its northern part, on the Burkinabè border.
Cooperation is therefore also safe and Patrice Talon knows what he wants.
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With our special correspondents in Cotonou
,
Amélie Tulet and Boris Vichith
Uninhibited relationship, Patrice Talon says it himself.
On the forecourt of the Palais de la Marina exposed to the winds.
The President of Benin apostrophes his French counterpart: “
May France support us more in our efforts to fight terrorism.
(..) Allow me to repeat myself.
We did not win the case
”.
It refers to a request for the supply of military equipment.
Paris supports Benin in terms of training and intelligence, but Patrice Talon wants drones.
“
On the security level, we will be there
”, assures the French president, “
pickup, mine clearance, bulletproof vests, night vision helmets will be delivered shortly
, assures Emmanuel Macron.
For drones, we will move forward to meet your request
.
»
Emmanuel Macron in Benin: "On the security level (...) we will be there to meet your request"
Amélie Tulet Boris Vichith
The French head of state repeats as he has done since the start of this African tour that the Élysée wants to renovate the French presence on the continent, to be a support, a support.
He says he wants to attend a meeting of the Accra initiative, this collaborative security organization launched in 2017.
Once again, the French president points to the example of Mali from which France is withdrawing, Mali where, according to him, the security response has not been accompanied by a political and development response.
Emmanuel Macron leaves tonight for Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau is the last stage of this trip of the French president on the African continent.
Guinea-Bissau took over the rotating presidency of ECOWAS, the West African regional organization, in early July.
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Emmanuel Macron
France
Benign
Patrice Talon