5,000 Burkinabes have arrived in northern Benin to seek refuge. The Beninese government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji  confirmed the arrival of the refugees on Sunday, July 21, 2024.

He explained that the massive displacement was caused by terrorist threats raging Burkina Faso. According to the Beninese government, despite recent accusations by Burkina Faso’s military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traore against it, the country is committed to assisting the refugees.

Government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji affirmed that Benin is taking proactive measures to alleviate the suffering of the refugees. Houngbédji further highlighted Benin’s dedication to the principles of pan-Africanism and the free movement of people and goods within the ECOWAS area.

He assured that Benin is providing all necessary humanitarian assistance to the refugees.

In 2021, more than 200 Burkinabe refugees fled the terrorist threat in their homeland and were welcomed in the commune of Matéri in the Atacora department, northwest Benin.

They had escaped from Yabtankouagou, in the commune of Madjaouri in Burkina Faso.