On the night of November 24 to 25, a fire ravaged the strategic SOROUBAT car park in Kantoro, jeopardizing a key road project for Benin.
On the night of Sunday 24 to Monday 25 November 2024, a spectacular fire ravaged the parking lot of the Société des Routes et Bâtiments (SOROUBAT) in Kantoro, in the north of Benin. This act, described as sabotage by local sources, was allegedly carried out by unidentified armed individuals (IANI). The incident, although causing no human loss, raises many questions and compromises a road project of strategic importance.
A strategic parking lot targeted
The burned parking lot was located in the district of Guéné, commune of Malanville. It serves as a logistical base for construction and asphalting work on the Guéné-Karimama road, a key infrastructure for the region. 50 kilometers long, this route was intended to strengthen trade and open up this area.
On the fateful night, attackers burst in around 1 a.m., attacking the facilities directly. Several heavy engines deployed by SOROUBAT for the site were destroyed. According to testimonies, the flames quickly engulfed the machines, leaving behind a spectacle of desolation.
Colossal material damage
Although no lives were lost, the material impact was considerable. Several pieces of equipment crucial to the progress of the construction site were reduced to ashes. Although the exact number of engines burned was not released, a local source described a critical situation.
The Guéné-Karimama road, currently under construction, is of capital importance for the economic development of northern Benin. This sabotage therefore represents a major setback for the country’s infrastructural ambitions.
Who are the perpetrators of this act?
The identity of those responsible remains a mystery for the moment. However, several hypotheses emerge. Some point the finger at extremist armed groups active in this border region with Niger. Their mode of operation, often marked by targeted attacks on infrastructure, reinforces this idea.
Others raise the possibility of a malicious act linked to local rivalries or interests opposed to the realization of the project. Northern Benin, although relatively stable compared to its neighbors, remains vulnerable to external influences and internal tensions.
A security challenge for Benin
This incident highlights the security challenges facing Benin, particularly in its northern regions. Although the country has undertaken considerable efforts to strengthen security, this attack highlights the need to step up protective measures around strategic projects.
For SOROUBAT, this fire is a hard blow. The company will not only have to replace the destroyed equipment, but also review its security system to avoid new attacks.
A project in danger?
The consequences of this fire go well beyond material damage. The delay caused risks compromising the confidence of local populations and financial partners in the ability to carry out large-scale projects.
While the authorities promise a thorough investigation to identify and punish those responsible, the priority remains the rapid resumption of work. The inhabitants of the region are impatiently awaiting the completion of this route, synonymous with opening up and economic opportunities.