Benin/Conflict management and prevention in Africa: Benin, a forum for dialogue on peace architecture
On September 18 and 19, 2025, the Sofitel Hôtel in Cotonou hosted a high-level sub-regional dialogue on peace architectures, focusing on strengthening governance and peacebuilding mechanisms in West Africa. The official opening ceremony was presided over by the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Mr. Alassane SEIDOU, in the presence of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Benin, as well as a host of guests and participants from the sub-region.
This dialogue takes place in a context where, despite the efforts of West African and Sahelian governments, terrorist threats persist, making coherent regional conflict prevention and management mechanisms necessary. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in partnership with the Beninese government, has initiated this meeting to propose a cooperation framework for all Gulf of Guinea countries.
According to Minister Alassane SEIDOU, the dialogue offers an opportunity to strengthen local, national and regional peace architectures, enabling a collective response to transnational threats to the region's stability. The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System stressed that the aim of the meeting was to stimulate debate on how to strengthen this collective response to current challenges.
Representatives from countries such as Ghana, Togo, Burkina-Faso and Côte d'Ivoire also took the floor to welcome the initiative and share their expectations for the outcome of the meeting.
Over the two days, participants will take part in papers and panels addressing the state of peace architecture in West Africa, high-level perspectives on peace and stability, and regional cooperation and partnerships.
Ultimately, the ambition of UNDP and the participating countries is to draw up a regional roadmap definingpriorities for peacebuilding, financing mechanisms and the sustainability of peace architectures in the sub-region.
Source: www.gouv.bj/
