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Benin’s National Peace Council was launched in the capital city of Cotonou on July 7, 2007, with more than 120 participants. Vice-Minister Juste Guedou, representing the Minister in Charge of Relationships with Institutions, Porte-parole of Benin’s government, Hon. Juste Guedou remarked that the primary function of the culture of peace is to promote social, economic, political, cultural and religious stability in all nations, and the National Peace Council will be a great help in accomplishing this purpose. The installation ceremony was broadcast nationally and internationally by Benin National Television, four radio stations and many newspapers.

At a Continental Seminar for African Leaders in Benin sponsored by UPF in 2006, a representative of H.E. President Boni Yayi called on the continent’s leaders to eradicate the root causes of human suffering and give priority to the principles of dialogue and reconciliation. “Africa’s countries need peace,” he said. “Therefore, they need to receive through their heads-of-state education about a culture of love, peace and non-violence.”

This culture of peace is being promoted on a grass-roots level through peace councils in each of Benin’s twelve departments.