The Maison des jeunes in Natitingou hosted the official events for the 2026 World Refugee Day on Saturday, 20 June 2026.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Mr Djibril MAMA CISSE, Minister of the Interior and Public Security, alongside Ms Aminatou SAR, UN Resident Coordinator in Bénin, and Mr Thomas WYLLIE, Deputy Regional Director of the UNHCR for West Africa. The event featured speeches, a visit to exhibition stands showcasing income‑generating activities run by refugees, and a tree‑planting ceremony.

“Until everyone is safe” was the international theme chosen this year to encourage reflection on the situation of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. According to updated figures, Bénin currently hosts 29,000 refugees and asylum seekers, as well as 14,000 applicants awaiting refugee status.

In her address, Ms Aminatou SAR noted that these numbers reflect real pressure on the country but also highlight the commitment of the Béninese government and people to welcoming and protecting refugees and asylum seekers. She assured that the UN system remains mobilised alongside Bénin, working daily to protect displaced people, ensure access to food and healthcare, guarantee children’s education, and provide psychosocial support.

Minister Djibril MAMA CISSE stated that World Refugee Day is a key opportunity to reaffirm solidarity with those forced to flee their homes due to persecution, conflict, and violence. He emphasised that this year’s theme, “Until everyone is safe”, reminds us that refugee protection is a shared responsibility requiring solidarity, humanity, and cooperation between international organisations and communities. He assured that Bénin guarantees refugee protection through a strengthened legal and institutional framework, allowing refugees to access essential services in health, education, employment, and social protection.

Despite the current security context, the Minister reaffirmed Bénin’s and its government’s commitment to the right of asylum and the principle of non‑refoulement, stressing that national security imperatives and international protection requirements can be reconciled through effective mechanisms for identifying, registering, and monitoring refugees and asylum seekers.

The official launch also included speeches by Mr Thomas WYLLIE, Deputy Regional Director of UNHCR for West Africa, the first deputy mayor of Natitingou, Mr Norbert Tido N’DAH, and the refugee spokesperson, Mr Albert NACOULMA. The latter reiterated the refugees’ promise to respect Bénin’s laws and regulations and to work for better social cohesion.

The ceremony concluded with a tree‑planting activity and other events.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst