BENIN
Legal framework on freedom of religion and actual application
The Constitution of Benin defines the country as a secular state that prohibits religious discrimination.[1] Religious freedom is enshrined as a fundamental human right and is considered a core principle of interreligious relationships. The constitution requires political parties to respect the secular nature of the State and affirms that “the secularity of the State may not be made the object of a revision” (Article 156).[2]
People who wish to establish a religious community must register with the Ministry of the Interior.[3]
Religious instruction is not allowed in state schools, but private schools run by religious groups are allowed to teach religion and receive public funding.[4]
Relations between religious communities are generally peaceful, but there has been a modest rise in tensions. Voodoo is said to have originated in the Kingdom of Dahomey, present-day Benin. Today 11 percent of the population of Benin practises voodoo.[5]
Although approximately half of the population of Benin identifies as Christian and nearly 28 percent as Muslim; the traditional religion of Vodun continues to be practised, mostly in the south.[6] Overall, almost 30 percent of the population are followers of Vodum and other indigenous religions.
According to Radji Saïbou, Secretary General of Benin’s Religions for Peace, dialogue between faiths and creeds is “not a given. We have to work on it.”[7]
According to the BTI Transformation Index report, “The government has the effective power to govern”; however, “decisions of (elected) officials can sometimes be influenced by third parties such as business, religious or traditional leaders, but not in a systematic way.” The same report states: “Catholics are over-represented in state offices as a result of the role of the Church in education. However, this does not transfer into dogmatic interference…Generally, religious pluralism and tolerance are the rule.”[8]
In July 2024, two MPs, Taïrou Imorou and Souley Moucouré Boko, introduced a bill to make the Monday following a Muslim or a traditionalist holiday a public holiday. This is controversial as some MPs believe it is inconsistent with Benin’s self-proclaimed secular character, which would require no preference towards any one religion. Others believe that it is only fair, as there is a disproportionate number of Christian holidays. This bill, which highlights the growing political relationship between Islam and the law, is expected to be voted on later in the year at the National Assembly.[9] In September, the National Assembly passed a law to extend Vodun Days, a celebration of the country’s traditional religions first observed in January 2024.[10]
Incidents and developments
Historically, the right to religious freedom is respected and the relations between religious traditions generally respectful. A concern, however, is the growing influence of Islamist extremist groups. According to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS),[11] Islamic extremist groups, such as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) – also known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) - and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), are funding their terrorist attacks by trafficking in arms, ammunition, drugs, medicines and protected species. These groups are also taking advantage the security vacuum caused by a territorial dispute between Benin and Burkina Faso regarding the Kourou-Koualou region where there was no Benin government presence until February 2023. In 2023, 40 incidents of violence by Sahel-based terrorist organisations were reported in Benin, up from 20 in 2022.[12] These attacks were perpetrated mostly by the GSIM and ISGS.
In December 2023, a violent incident confirmed the continuation of Islamic terrorism in Benin, when, close to the border with Niger, a homemade bomb exploded as a patrol passed killing two soldiers instantly.[13]
As the Secretary General of the Islamic Union of Benin, Abdou Djelil Yessoufou, in contact with imams and representatives of mosques throughout the country, stated: “People are worried because extremism is spreading”. There are kidnappings and attacks.”[14]
On January 8, 2025, a terrorist attack occurred in the “Point Triple” area, a border region between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The attack, for which the jihadist group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility, resulted in the deaths of 28 Beninese soldiers. This incident marks the deadliest attack in Benin since 2021 and highlights the growth of jihadist activity into coastal West African nations.[15]
In January 2024, a Catholic church in Boukoumbé was ransacked. A mentally disturbed man damaged holy books and sacred vessels and destroyed the priest’s vestments. The individual was arrested and transferred to a psychiatric hospital.[16]
In June 2024, police confiscated musical instruments used for worship at an Evangelical church in Abomey-Calavi. Citing the 2022 law regarding noise limits, the police raided the church and removed microphones, guitars, tam-tams and loudspeakers.[17]
Prospects for freedom of religion
Benin, like some of its neighbours (Burkina Faso, Nigeria) has increasingly been affected by terrorist attacks as violent extremism has spread south from Burkina Faso. In March 2024, Beninese soldiers prevented fighters associated with the Islamic State (IS) from establishing a base in the north of the country. If concerted efforts by authorities to address radicalisation are not implemented, extremist groups that were once confined to the Sahel will establish a foothold and dangerous presence in coastal West Africa.
Notwithstanding these increasing security threats, religious freedom is generally respected. The prospects for religious freedom in Benin remain unchanged.
Sources
Benin