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Relationship dossier

Benin France

Relationship assessment

Benin and France combine practical cooperation with a relationship shaped by colonial history and cultural-heritage debates.

Benin toward France

+35

Benin has partnered with France on security cooperation, including support related to regional security challenges. The scope and current implementation of that cooperation are unclear.

France toward Benin

+40

France has cooperated with Benin on development and security and returned 26 royal treasures to Benin in 2021, a significant cultural-heritage action.

Overall relationship

+35

The relationship has durable practical ties in development, security and culture, while colonial history and cultural restitution remain important features. The 2021 return of royal treasures represents a concrete response to a longstanding heritage issue.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Benin and France maintain substantial development, cultural and security cooperation, alongside a relationship shaped by colonial history and debate over cultural heritage. Benin has worked with France on security cooperation, while France returned 26 royal treasures to Benin in 2021. The scope and current implementation of bilateral cooperation are not fully clear.

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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