Opposition parties in Benin have condemned a recent attack that resulted in the deaths of nearly ten soldiers in the northern part of the country, an area increasingly vulnerable to extremist violence. The assailants, whose identities have not yet been confirmed, launched a targeted assault on a military convoy, intensifying concerns over the growing threat of terrorism in the region.
In a joint statement, opposition leaders criticized the government’s handling of security and called on President Patrice Talon to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance counterterrorism measures. They urged the government to work more closely with neighboring countries to tackle the rising tide of extremism and cross-border militant activity, which has been affecting the wider Sahel region.
The deadly attack has reignited calls for a more unified national and regional response to combat the spread of armed groups in West Africa. Local authorities have vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly, but the attack has further exposed the vulnerability of Benin’s northern regions, which have seen increasing instability in recent months.
