Benin: In Parakou, government proposes measures to end child begging

On October 13, 2026, the Beninese government held a meeting in Parakou with authorities, religious leaders, and social actors to address child begging. Minister of Family Véronique Tognifodé reported that 4,453 children in street situations or begging had been recorded from 2019 to 2026 across several departments. Interior Minister Djibril Mama Cissé emphasized that awareness efforts should now be replaced with repression, stating that every child on the street is a societal failure. The Borgou prefect Abdoul-Chakour Assouma Naro called for strict enforcement of laws and community reporting, while the Minister of Decentralization, Janvier Yahouedeou, highlighted the role of local authorities in protecting vulnerable populations.