COTONOU, Benin
French President Francois Hollande arrived in Benin on Thursday in the first visit to the francophone West African country by a French leader in more than three decades.
The last such visit was that of France’s socialist president, Francois Mitterrand, in 1983.
Hollande was received at Cotonou’s international airport by his Beninese counterpart, President Thomas Boni Yayi, and Beninese Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou.
According to Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs Saliou Akadiri, topics discussed by the two heads of state will include “the threat posed by Boko Haram, democracy, challenges regarding environmental protection and bilateral cooperation.”
"Benin will require French support – including weapons – to face the threat from the Nigerian terror group,” Akadiri, referring to Boko Haram, told reporters on Thursday.
He added that the notorious militant group continued to be a source of insecurity in Niger, Chad and Cameroon, as well as Nigeria.
Hollande is expected to leave Cotonou on Thursday for Angola, the second leg of an African mini-tour that will also take the French president to Cameroon on Friday.
