The official World Refugee Day 2026 celebrations were held at the Maison des Jeunes in Natitingou on Saturday, 20 June 2026.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Djibril Mama Cissé, Minister of Interior and Public Security, alongside Aminatou Sar, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Bénin, and Thomas Wyllie, Regional Deputy Director of UNHCR for West Africa. The event featured speeches, visits to exhibition stands showcasing income-generating activities by refugees, and a tree-planting session.
The international theme for this year was ‘Until everyone is safe’, aimed at raising awareness about refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. According to updated figures, Bénin currently hosts 29,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with an additional 14,000 individuals awaiting refugee status.
In her address, Aminatou Sar noted that these numbers reflect real pressure on the country but also highlight the commitment of the Beninese government and people to welcome and protect refugees. She assured that the United Nations system remains mobilized alongside Bénin, working daily to protect displaced persons, ensure access to food and healthcare, guarantee children’s education, and provide psychosocial support.
Djibril Mama Cissé declared that World Refugee Day is a key opportunity to reaffirm solidarity with those forced to flee persecution, conflict, and violence. He emphasized that this year’s theme reminds us that refugee protection is a shared responsibility requiring solidarity, humanity, and cooperation between international organizations and communities. Bénin, he assured, guarantees refugee protection through a strengthened legal and institutional framework, enabling refugees to access essential services in health, education, employment, and social protection.
Despite the current security situation, Djibril Mama Cissé reaffirmed Bénin’s commitment to the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. He stated 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 ceremony also included speeches by Thomas Wyllie, Norbert Tido N’Dah (first deputy mayor of Natitingou), and refugee spokesperson Albert Nacoulma. Nacoulma reiterated the refugees’ promise to respect Bénin’s laws and regulations and to work towards better social cohesion. The ceremony concluded with a tree-planting session and other activities.
