Northern Benin Schools Closed Over Security Concerns

Schools in 10 communes in northern Benin will remain closed on Monday as the new academic year begins elsewhere in the country, authorities said on Saturday. 

Education authorities said the decision was taken over concerns about possible terrorist attacks in the West African country.

Armed groups have been active in several areas near Benin’s borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, raising security concerns in the affected communities.

An education ministry source told AFP that pupils from the 10 affected communes would instead attend classes in areas considered safer.

The source did not disclose the number of schools affected by the measure.

Parents of pupils at some of the affected schools also confirmed the decision to AFP.

The closure had been flagged earlier on Thursday by government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedj.

New President Romuald Wadagni, who took office in April, has made security a priority for his administration.

The decision comes after conflict monitor Acled reported that the previous year was the deadliest yet for Benin troops confronting terrorist violence.