Benin celebrates its 66th Independence Day with military parades and a presidential address.
The military parade included a display of infantry and military vehicles, attended by senior state officials.
Written by: Mohammed Omran
The Republic of Benin celebrated today the 66th anniversary of its independence, amid official and military events in the capital, Cotonou, attended by senior officials and with broad participation from the defense and security forces.
Benin celebrates its 66th Independence Day with military parades and a presidential address.
The celebrations included an official speech by the President of the Republic of Benin at the Monument aux Dévoués in Mathieu Park, where he praised the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes who contributed to achieving independence, stressing the importance of continuing to work to promote stability and development.
The celebration program included a military parade on Boulevard de la Marina in the Plaza de l'Amazone, under the slogan: “Defense and security forces, together with the people, on the path to prosperity.”
The parade was divided into two main segments. The first was a marching display in which various formations of the Beninese defense and security forces participated, along with a military unit from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in a move reflecting the level of security and military cooperation between the two countries.
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The second segment featured a mechanized display in which the defense and security forces showcased a number of the most prominent military equipment and vehicles used in carrying out their tasks, as part of highlighting the readiness of the security and military institutions.
The Benin Radio and Television Authority (SRTB) broadcast the celebration events live across its various platforms, to give citizens inside and outside the country the opportunity to follow the highlights of the celebration of the sixty-sixth anniversary of the country’s independence.
August 1st is a major national occasion in Benin, during which the country commemorates its independence from France in 1960, through official celebrations, military parades and national activities that reflect the country’s history and journey.
