The Youth House of Natitingou hosted the official events for World Refugee Day 2026 on Saturday, June 20, bringing together government officials, international partners, and refugee representatives to reaffirm Benin’s dedication to protecting displaced populations.
The opening ceremony was led by Djibril Mama Cissé, Benin’s Minister of Interior and Public Security, alongside Aminatou Sar, UN Resident Coordinator in Benin, and Thomas Wyllie, Deputy Regional Director of the UNHCR for West Africa. Highlights included speeches, visits to income-generating exhibition stands run by refugees, and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.
Global theme, local impact
The theme for this year’s World Refugee Day—“Until everyone is safe”—served as a call to reflect on the plight of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. Benin currently hosts 29,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, with an additional 14,000 pending cases, reflecting both the country’s generosity and the growing pressures it faces.
Aminatou Sar emphasized that while these numbers underscore real challenges, they also highlight Benin’s unwavering commitment to providing protection and support. The UN system, she noted, remains fully engaged in Benin, working to ensure displaced individuals have access to food, healthcare, education, and psychosocial support.
Solidarity and shared responsibility
In his address, Djibril Mama Cissé stressed the importance of solidarity in protecting those forced to flee conflict, persecution, and violence. He described the theme as a reminder that refugee protection is a collective duty requiring international cooperation and humanitarian action. Benin, he assured, upholds this responsibility through a strong legal and institutional framework that guarantees refugees access to essential services, including healthcare, education, employment, and social protection.
Even amid regional security concerns, Benin remains steadfast in its commitment to the right of asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. The Minister underscored that national security and international protection obligations can be balanced through effective identification, registration, and monitoring mechanisms for refugees and asylum seekers.
Voices from the ground
The event also featured remarks from Norbert Tido N’Dah, Deputy Mayor of Natitingou, and Albert Nacoulma, a refugee spokesperson. Nacoulma pledged that refugees would continue to respect Benin’s laws and contribute to social cohesion, reinforcing their role as responsible members of the community.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic planting of trees and other community-focused activities, symbolizing growth, resilience, and the shared future Benin is building with its refugee population.
