Benin’s President Patrice Talon says his country hopes to quickly re-establish relations with its military-run neighbours, amid international condemnation of coups in West Africa.
In his state of the nation address to parliament on Thursday, President Talon reiterated his country’s disapproval of the seizure of power by the military, but insisted “there is a time to condemn, a time to demand and a time to take stock and take note”.
West Africa has seen coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso and most recently in Niger, where Ecowas sanctions also triggered a closure of its borders with Benin.
“Benin has never wanted, or wished for, the sanctions imposed by regional or international authorities to have the effect of complicating the daily lives of the population, of making their lives even more difficult,” Mr Talon said.
Ecowas recently decided to maintain sanctions on Niger until a short transitional period is proposed. Mr Talon said the junta must now show proof of goodwill and collaborate with the regional bloc.