Benin

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has honoured notable citizens with chieftaincy titles to strengthen traditional governance, encourage dedication, commitment, service to the community - stated Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin

Pendjari National Park, a main biodiversity conservation area in west Africa and a World Heritage Site has seen an escalating presence of non-state armed groups: its geography facilitates movements, hiding, stock up on resources, gold and poached wildlife

A week-long workshop "Catholic Professionals and Commitment to Christian Leadership, Peace, Good Governance, and the Protection of Life" was held in Cotonou with fifty professionals from various sectors of social life from five African countries

54 soldiers were reportedly killed in the terrorist attack in northern Benin on 17 April; Beninese government spokesman Houngbedji denied rumors of over a hundred deaths spread on social networks, according to Benin's official media La Nation

A massive, door-to-door information campaign to fight onchocerciasis - the disease also known as river blindness - has been launched in Benin; the parasitic infection is caused by the roundworm Onchocerca volvulus, with damages compromising eyesight

The Republic of Benin, together with Togo, owe Nigeria $8.84 million for electricity consumption in the fourth quarter of 2024 according to data disclosed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission

On 10 and 12 February 2025, the International Board of Auditors for NATO welcomed to Brussels a delegation from the Benin Chamber of Accounts: talks focused on the external audit practices in use at NATO, with a view to promoting a broader understanding

The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, Benin's media regulatory authority, suspended two newspapers and four websites at the end of January, for alleged unauthorised publication and non-compliance

In the southern village of Gogotinkpon, which makes its living from fishing in Lake Aheme, voodoo is used to ask deities to help demarcate tracts of mangroves as sacred areas; the tradition highlights the importance of mangrove forests in the region

A new attack attributed to jihadist groups in the north, near the border with Niger and Burkina Faso, resulted in the death of 28 soldiers; attacks have increased in the area in recent years, with 121 soldiers killed from 2021 to the end of 2024

Pan-African activist and leader Kémi Séba has announced his candidature for presidential elections scheduled for April 2026; electoral code requires candidates to be sponsored by at least 28 elected officials, such as mayors or members of parliament

The country intends to sell up to 40% of its stake in Banque Internationale pour l'Industrie et le Commerce through an initial public offering to finance various development projects, aiming to raise $192,3 million offering up to 23,1 million shares