Benin, in solidarity with Haiti, has committed to providing 2,000 men for the future multinational security support force in Haiti (MMSS). This is not the first time that the country has sent troops to Port-au-Prince; very strong historical ties bind the two countries.
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Haiti remains a source of pride for the Beninese as the first black republic, reports our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan. The affinities, historical and cultural links between the two countries are very strong, in particular thanks to voodoo. “ Voodoo is the mystical, spiritual, powerful link between Benin and Haiti. It is the religion of the deportees, of the slaves to which they clung when they arrived on the other side of the Atlantic. They cherished it, they developed it and adapted it to their territory », explains José Pliya, President Patrice Talon’s mission manager for Arts and Culture.
“ There is a common base, we find a certain number of totemic deities on both sides, even if the name has changed, it has been creolizedcontinues José Pliya. And then there are new deities who are born. And today, it allows, when Haitians return to Benin, to have an immediate, almost ineffable connection between Haitians and Beninese. »
The relationship is sometimes described as carnal. Benin has already come to the aid of Haitians before. This was the case during the 2010 earthquake. Benin welcomed and supported the studies of around a hundred Haitian students.
Patrice Talon remains in the same dynamic. He wants to remain this voice of solidarity, duty and recognition towards the homeland of Toussaint Louverture. He proposes sending 2,000 men to help curb the spiral of violence. On April 17, 2024, its director of intelligence services was appointed special envoy of Benin to Haiti.
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