By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Matin Libre
Five inmates were found dead on 17 October in Building H of Cotonou Civil Prison, according to Beninese media outlet Le Potentiel. Their discovery sparked unrest among prisoners, led to the deployment of the Mobile Intervention Company and resulted in visits being suspended, Matin Libre reports.
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The president of the Union of Media Professionals of Benin (Upmb), Hervé Prudence Hessou, presented the organisation’s eight strategic priorities to South Africa’s ambassador to Benin, including ongoing training and better working conditions for journalists. The meeting took place on 14 October 2026 in Cotonou, as part of efforts to establish future partnerships, Matin Libre reports.
🇧🇯 Benin · Source: Matin Libre ·
The 29th School Football World Cup opened on 18 October 2026 in Suzhou, China, with a Beninese delegation taking part. It stood out at the ceremony for its outfits inspired by Beninese traditions, Matin Libre reported.
🇧🇯 Benin · Source: Matin Libre ·
Benin signed three financing agreements totalling 249.5 billion CFA francs on 12 and 13 October with the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. The funds are to finance transport, agriculture and energy, according to Matin Libre, which cites Hugues Oscar Lokossou.
🇧🇯 Benin · Source: Matin Libre ·
FAL FC supporters created the Association of Supporters “Les Guerriers de FAL du Zou” at a general meeting held on 11 October 2026 in Bohicon. Its president, Olviga Avomakpé, says he wants to support the Amos Langanfin Foundation’s clubs, including the women’s and men’s teams, according to Matin Libre.
🇧🇯 Benin · Source: Matin Libre ·
Floods suspend classes for 346 pupils in OuinhiFlooding has forced the CEG des Tohouès secondary school in Ouinhi, in Benin’s Zou Department, to close for about two weeks, affecting 346 pupils. Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils are staying at home, while Year 10 pupils were accommodated at a primary school in Dokodji, according to headteacher Hermann Tossou, quoted by Libre Express.
Benue spends 160 million naira treating displaced people bitten by snakesNigeria’s Benue State spent more than 160 million naira on treatment for displaced people bitten by snakes between March and September, according to James Iorpuu, executive secretary of the emergency management agency. Treatment was provided at Benue University Teaching Hospital, while the authorities are also maintaining food distributions despite dwindling resources, Punch reports.The week in Africa
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