On February 16, Beninese President Patrice Talon traveled to Ouagadougou and back to meet the President of the Transition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. A visit mainly devoted to the fight against terrorism, in its response to the recurrent jihadist attacks in the north, Benin has taken initiatives along the border with Burkina. Patrice Talon went to inform the authorities of the transition.
With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
The Beninese head of state was accompanied by his military chief of staff who attended the meeting with Ibrahim Traoré.
The Accra Initiativewhich brings together seven countries, had planned the “reinforced koudanlgou” operation, a joint operation against armed terrorist groups and organized criminal groups operating in border areas.
The joint operation, which was to be launched in 2022, has still not started.
In the meantime and according to our information, Benin has decided, in its response plan against terrorism, to invest the entire border strip with Burkina, beyond Koualou, the gateway to all trafficking and all economic crimes.
It is also from there that Benin is often attacked. Captain Traoré would not have found any objections or expressed reservations, reports a source.
RFI learns that since last Sunday, Beninese soldiers have been patrolling the area in armor and with infantry troops. No incidents have been reported so far. On Thursday, the Chief of Staff paid a visit to the command of the operation.