Bénin security update: minister Djibril Mama Cisse assesses field realities
Interior and Public Security Minister Djibril Mama Cisse continues his security assessment tour across Benin, making stops in Kandi and Parakou to engage directly with frontline security personnel and refine national safety strategies.
On June 23, 2026, the minister and his delegation visited critical security installations in both cities. In Kandi, the tour included the Special Multipurpose Intervention Group base, alongside the civil protection agencies of Alibori and Borgou departments. The visit then moved to Parakou, where officials inspected the mobile intervention unit of the Republican Police and the local Department of Interior and Public Security.
Listening tour bridges policy and field realities
At each stop, Minister Cisse emphasized the importance of open dialogue with law enforcement officers of all ranks. Speaking to assembled police personnel at the Kandi intervention base, he stated, “My presence here reflects my commitment to listening. I came to hear your voices directly.” The same engagement unfolded in Parakou, where officers were encouraged to voice operational challenges affecting their effectiveness.
Key concerns raised by security forces
The discussions highlighted pressing issues impacting police performance, including:
- Career progression bottlenecks and delayed promotions
- Extended postings in high-risk zones without adequate support
- Insufficient hazard allowances and motivational incentives
- Shortages in specialized personnel and overall workforce gaps
- Telecommunication blackouts in remote areas due to sabotaged infrastructure
- Vulnerable police stations lacking protective measures
Senior officials from the Republican Police and the Ministry responded by outlining ongoing reforms, particularly regarding career development pathways and resource allocation improvements.
Government recognition and call to action
Concluding the sessions, Minister Cisse commended security forces for their dedication, acknowledging, “It is through your vigilance and sacrifice that Beninese citizens live and work in peace.” He stressed that addressing identified challenges remains a government priority to ensure uninterrupted national progress.
