2023-09-28 13:23:44
There is no military base under construction on Beninese territory according to a clarification made by the government spokesperson in reaction to a publication by a Nigerien media.
The announced departure of French troops from Niger has brought back into focus rumors about a possible installation of a French military base in Benin. The Beninese government is taking the matter seriously after a publication in Nigerien media relayed by Radio France Internationale.
“The Benin, says Mourya et reported by RFI, is already in an advanced phase of construction of a French military base near the town of Kandi. Even if the government of Patrice Talon tries to deny the information, it recognizes that French, Belgian and American military instructors are in Kandi to strengthen the capacity of the Beninese forces.
“Baseless claims”
Yet he is nothing. The government spokesperson wants to be clear on the issue. Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji provided the denial on social networks:
“I would like to point out that while it is constant that I affirmed, in due time, that we benefit from the support of French, Belgian and American instructors in particular, no French military base is under construction in our country , and more not in the Alibori department. Furthermore, it is well known that the French and Belgian instructors in question left more than six (06) months after their mission ended. Clearly, these are the rants of people in search of sensation and who, without any investigation, make unfounded assertions.“
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