The Government of Benin has reaffirmed its unwavering determination to defeat terrorism in the country’s northern regions, following successful operations by the army’s Special Forces that resulted in the dismantling of a key terrorist base.
During a press briefing on Friday, July 4, 2025, Deputy Secretary General and government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji described the recent counter-terrorism efforts as “forceful operations that are only just beginning.”
He underscored the government’s firm stance that the terrorist threat would be eradicated through intensified and sustained military action.
“The logic is that the Republican Army, the State, prevails over the criminals,” Houngbédji declared.
“We will get there, and we have started.
We must therefore hope that this pace is maintained and amplified so that our children who are at the front, guaranteeing us the security and integrity of our territory, remain alive for us.”
According to official reports, the Beninese Special Forces launched coordinated offensives on June 24 and 28 in the sensitive tri-border area between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso — a known hotspot for extremist activity.
Several insurgents were neutralized, and the military reportedly seized weapons of war and motorcycles believed to be used for raids and transportation by the militants.
While the spokesperson did not specify an exact timeframe for the end of the insurgency, he stressed that pushing the threat outside national borders is no longer a goal but “a certainty.”
For several years, northern Benin has suffered sporadic attacks attributed to jihadist groups operating across the Sahel.
The government’s recent military escalation signals a shift toward a more proactive and offensive approach.
With regional instability and cross-border insurgency complicating efforts, authorities maintain that victory against extremism will require a blend of military strength, regional cooperation, and national resilience.
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