Romuald Wadagni, the ruling party's frontrunner in Benin's April 12 presidential vote, pledged to create municipal police units in northern border towns to counter rising jihadist attacks. He said Benin must cooperate with neighbouring countries as Sahel insurgents increase cross-border violence, but provided no staffing numbers or cost estimates. Recent deadly assaults — including attacks that killed 54 and 15 soldiers — and a foiled December coup underline the urgent security challenges in the north.
Benin Frontrunner Proposes Local Police Units In Northern Border Towns To Counter Jihadist Attacks
Romuald Wadagni, Benin's finance minister and the ruling party candidate for the presidential election, shakes hands with supporters after presenting his platform in Cotonou, Benin March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Charles Placide Tossou
COTONOU, March 23 (Reuters) — Romuald Wadagni, the ruling party's presidential candidate and Benin's finance minister since 2016, has pledged to establish municipal police forces in northern border towns to protect communities from repeated jihadist attacks.
Unveiling his political platform ahead of the April 12 presidential election, Wadagni framed the proposal as part of a broader security response that will require cooperation with neighbouring states as Sahel-based insurgents step up cross-border operations affecting Niger, Benin and Nigeria.
"The goal will be to ensure that young people, in their own environment, are trained, equipped, and given the opportunity to defend their homes, their families, their siblings, and their surroundings," Wadagni said.
Benin's national Republican Police and military units already operate in the north. Wadagni did not provide target numbers for municipal officers, a timetable for deployment, or an estimated budget for the programme.
Attacks Expand In North
Security in the north is expected to be a central challenge for Wadagni if he succeeds President Patrice Talon. Benin has seldom publicly discussed jihadist violence, but authorities reported that an attack last April by an al Qaeda-linked group, Jama'at Nusrat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin, killed 54 soldiers. An assault earlier this month killed 15 soldiers and wounded five at a military camp in the north.
In December, disgruntled soldiers attempted a coup, citing the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin and the "disregard and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms." The plot was foiled with assistance from neighbouring countries, including Nigeria.
Questions Ahead
Key details about the municipal police plan remain unanswered: how many officers would be recruited, how they would be trained and equipped, how the force would coordinate with national security services, and how the programme would be funded. Observers say locally recruited forces can bolster community defence but require clear oversight, accountability mechanisms and sustained funding to be effective and to avoid potential abuses.
Reporting by Pulcherie Adjoha; Writing by Robbie Corey-Boulet; Editing by Alexandra Hudson.
Help us improve.
