Sanctions on Niger "must be rapidly lifted or at least revised”: Catholic Bishops in Benin

The Catholic Bishops in Benin further said they “share the sufferings, apprehensions and hopes of the Catholic Church and the people of Niger at this difficult time in their history.”

The CEB members suggested that parties to the conflict in Niger, as well as those intervening in it pursue diplomatic means such as negotiation, listening, and reconciliation to resolve it.

They said that negotiation is in accordance with the spirit of "the palaver tree, which is deeply rooted in African tradition.”

Defense officials at ECOWAS have been mulling over a possible military intervention in Niger. 

The West African nation is bordered by Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, Benin, Algeria, and Chad. Most of these countries are wreaked by terrorism and are on the list of places where Christians are persecuted the most.

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In their August 11 statement, the Bishops reaffirmed their opposition to any military option that they said "would drag Niger and the countries of the sub-region into the throes of the crackling of arms and their heavy consequences.”

“War is always a tunnel with no exit, an unpredictable adventure,” the Catholic Bishops said.

Making reference to St. Pope John Paul II, CEB members said, “Peace is the only way to build a society of greater justice and solidarity. Violence and weapons have never solved man's problems. Peace is a gift from God as well as a humble and constant conquest of mankind.”

They urged the people of God in Benin to be the “torch-bearer within ECOWAS for the diplomatic path of dialogue, tolerance, mutual forgiveness and consensus, based on its experience at the Conference of the Nation's Living Forces.”

They continued, “Despite the sporadic crises of living together, Benin is fundamentally recognized in the concert of nations as a country of peace and dialogue.”

The Catholic Bishops urged Priests to celebrate Mass for peace in Niger and the sub-region on Tuesday, August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace. 

“On Friday August 18, 2023, all the Catholic faithful and people of good will are called to observe a day of fasting and prayer for the same intention,” CEB members said.

They said, “May Mary, our Lady of Victories, who crushes the head of the Prince of lies, division, disorder, sin and death, intercede for us!”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.