Diplomatic meetings in Benin and Mali address security and cooperation

Benin's Minister of National Defense, Gildas Agonkan, met with the Ambassador of Benin to China, Franck Adjagba, to discuss strengthening defense and security cooperation. The meeting focused on enhancing trust and dialogue between the two nations' militaries, with Benin seeking to leverage Chinese security expertise to accelerate economic and commercial cooperation.

In Mali, Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop hosted a British delegation led by Charlotte Pierre, Director for Africa at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Discussions centered on regional geopolitics, specifically the challenges posed by terrorism in the Sahel and the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States. Diop requested British support in encouraging responsible roles for foreign state actors in the region. The meeting also addressed bilateral economic cooperation, including the upcoming Mali-Kura Forum aimed at boosting economic growth through productive investments.