AFRICA/BENIN - Bishops express condolences for soldiers killed in recent jihadist assault

Cotonou (Agenzia Fides) - Condolences for the soldiers killed in the jihadist assault on January 8, an appeal to young people to avoid joining the ranks of cybercrime, and a wish for peaceful elections. These are the relevant themes contained in the final communiqué of the second ordinary plenary session of the Episcopal Conference of Benin for the pastoral year 2024-2025, held from January 7 to 10 in Cotonou.
"We express our deep compassion to the entire nation and to the bereaved families for the loss of their sons from the defence and security forces, fallen at the front in the line of duty," said the bishops in offering condolences for the soldiers killed in the jihadist assault on January 8. The attack took place near the so-called triple border between Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso. A jihadist formation from the latter country attacked the border post, killing at least 28 Beninese soldiers. The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), affiliated with Al Qaeda.
The presence of jihadist groups in neighbouring countries, particularly in Niger and Burkina Faso, has forced the Beninese government to deploy at least 3,000 soldiers in the north of the country to prevent armed incursions. Local security forces are supported by the US military, as demonstrated by the incident on 10 January involving a helicopter from a private US company commissioned by the Pentagon to provide medical evacuation services to local soldiers. As for young people, the Bishops are concerned about the growth of cybercrime in the country, which seduces a large number of young people with “the promise of easy profits”. According to the Bishops, the unbridled pursuit of easy profits, often at the expense of public safety and social integrity, compromises the future of young people and shakes the ethical foundations of the nation. Faced with the ineffectiveness of awareness campaigns carried out so far, the Episcopal Conference urges young people to reject fraudulent practices and to adopt a lifestyle based on honesty and constant work. Finally, in their statement, the bishops hope that the general elections to be held in April 2026 will be peaceful, but express their concern “about the persistence of political tensions that could undermine social peace and national cohesion”. In a context in which understanding between the various political forces remains fragile, the bishops call on political actors to prioritize dialogue, mutual respect and the best interests of the nation in their positions and actions. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 13/1/2025)

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criminality

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