Benin closes nine of its diplomatic missions

Beninese government has decided to close nine of its diplomatic missions out of the 39 embassies and consulates that the country has across the world, the presidency said on Wednesday night in Cotonou.

Pascal Koupaki, Secretary General for the Presidency, said those closed include five in Africa, one in the Middle East, two in the Americas and one in Asia.

The official said three other embassies that include Benin's embassy in Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), will be transformed into consulates.

"The decision to restructure our diplomatic map aims not only to reduce the cost of running them, but to also ensure embassies bring more value to our country," he said.

He said through this restructuring, Benin's executive intends to promote economic and cultural diplomacy, reinforce international cooperation, promote regional integration and restore the country's credibility among its partners.

Besides reducing the number of its diplomatic missions, Benin has also decided to recall all the heads of its diplomatic missions who had reached retirement age or those who had served at a station for over four years.

"Reduction of the number of employees at embassies, removal of posts of defense attaches and deputy defense attaches except in posts that manage peacekeeping missions, were some of the other measures taken by the government to reduce the cost of running Benin's diplomatic missions," Koupaki concluded. Enditem