Bad weather in the AES : Flood in Niger, risks in Benin

The heavy rains followed by flooding which wreaked significant havoc in Mali and Niger are a reminder, if necessary, that what affects these countries also affects Benin. These territories are crossed by the Niger River which marks the northern border of Benin before continuing its course into Nigeria.

Since June, heavy rainfall falls on the Sahel causing significant rises in water. So, in this month of August 2024, authorities counted more than 200 deaths in Niger as well as significant material damage. Niamey, the capital, is currently surrounded by water and therefore almost cut off from the rest of the world.. According to the military government, the floods would have made 350 000 victims, 217 dead and 200 the jihadists were again reported during the day on Friday. said Edmé Codjo before adding "This is why we have focused the work on the coordination, crops are destroyed, which constitutes a risk of food crisis in an already very vulnerable country.
If the Beninese government has not yet reacted to this disaster which is hitting its neighbor, it should be noted, For its part, the Beninese opposition party Les Démocrates, in a press release dated 23 August, expresses his compassion to the “brother” people of Niger.
More, beyond signs of solidarity, the Beninese should also and above all worry about themselves. Indeed, with each flood of the Niger River, the towns of Malanvile and Karimama are also affected by floods. Consequently, what is currently happening from Bamako to Niamey will undoubtedly affect Benin and, later, localities bordering the Niger River all along Nigeria.
In front of this situation, necessary measures should be taken to alleviate the future suffering of the inhabitants of the far north of Benin. Karimama is a town lacking infrastructure and with a fragile climate, while Malanville is known as an onion production area., rice and potatoes. With each flood, the fields are destroyed, which has repercussions throughout the country with the increase in prices of products from these localities.
Benin and Niger have been staring at each other since the July coup 2023 in Niamey. Despite a timid resumption of relations, the authorities resulting from the putsch continue to proclaim their distrust of Benin. This natural disaster which hits the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and which will also affect the southern neighbors who have the Niger River in common, reminds us that the whole of West Africa has a common destiny.

Pierre MATCHOUDO