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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Benin International Parental Child Abduction Information

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Benin International Parental Child Abduction Information

Benin

Benin
Republic of Benin
Exercise Increased Caution in Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

There was no change to the advisory level. The “unrest” risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated.

Exercise Increased Caution in Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso; Niger; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.

Advisory summary
Do not travel to the border region in northern or northeastern Benin for any reason.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions
U.S. government employees working in Benin are not allowed to travel to the following areas without Ambassador approval due to safety risks:

  • Alibori Department
  • Atacora Department
  • Borgou Department in areas north, east, and west of Parakou
  • Donga Department in the area north of Djougou
  • Official travel in Borgou Department north, east, and west of Parakou as well as official travel in Donga Department north of Djougou is authorized for day trips only.
  • Safety risks prevent emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in the areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso; Niger; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara.
  • There are no safety risks in Benin that would stop the U.S. government’s ability to offer routine or emergency services, except in the identified areas of concern.

Crime
Most coastal and southern areas of Benin are safe. However, violent crime can occur in remote locations. These crimes often happen at night and include kidnapping, assault, and armed robbery.

Stay aware of your surroundings in:

  • Urban areas and crowded markets.
  • Areas near roadblocks, which may be manned by armed groups. Armed groups are present throughout the country.

Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Benin. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Terrorist and armed groups have attacked areas near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger. There have also been kidnappings for ransom in areas of the Alibori and Borgou Departments near the Nigerian border.

Terrorists may target:

  • Places frequented by foreigners anywhere in the country
  • Popular hotels, clubs, and restaurants
  • Schools
  • Places of worship
  • International diplomatic missions
  • Local security forces

Unrest
There have been instances of military activity and civil unrest that resulted in violence in Benin. This type of violence may lead to road and land border closures as well as impacted operations at the Cotonou International Airport. Although U.S. citizens have not been targeted, sporadic military activity or civil unrest may happen suddenly and poses a risk.

Kidnapping
Kidnapping for ransom occurs in Benin. Criminal groups and terrorist organizations target both locals and foreign visitors.

Level 4 - Do Not Travel - Benin’s northern and northeastern border regions

Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso; Niger; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.

Terrorists and criminal organizations carry out attacks in northern Benin. Foreign nationals and residents are at risk of kidnapping in this region. The areas of greatest risk are:

  • Pendjari and W National Parks
  • Alibori Department
  • Atacora Department
  • The Forest of the Three Rivers
  • The Oueme Superior Forest
  • All areas east of Route Nationale 10 up to the Benin-Nigeria border, including the cities of Kalele, Nikki, and Segbana

If you decide to travel to Benin:

  • Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
  • Review our information on Terrorism, Travel to High-Risk Areas, Crime Abroad, U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad, and for Victims of Crime.
  • Give your itinerary to a family member or friend.
  • Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. This helps them monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. Specify how you'll confirm you're safe (text, calls, etc.), how often, and who you'll contact first to share the information.
  • Carry a copy of your passport and visa (if applicable). Leave originals in your hotel safe.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Benin.
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Benin. 
  • Whether you are a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
  • We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Cotonou

Marina Avenue
01 BP 2012 Cotonou, Benin
Telephone: +(229) 21-30-75-00
Emergency after-hours telephone: +(229) 21-30-75-00
Fax: +(229) 21-30-66-82
Email: ConsularCotonou@state.gov (for American Citizen Services) 

 

For information concerning travel to Benin, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Benin.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here. 

Benin is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Benin and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. 

Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Benin and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction.  For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child.  The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, Floor 9
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax:  202-736-9132
Website: childabduction.state.gov
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction is not a specific crime in Benin. 

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court.  Please see Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Benin and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.  Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the U.S. Embassy in Benin for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Benin are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms.  Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Under the laws of Benin, mediation is a possible remedy for both abduction and access cases.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: February 3, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Cotonou
Marina Avenue
01 BP 2012 Cotonou, Benin
Telephone
+(229) 21-30-75-00
Emergency
+(229) 21-30-75-00
Fax
+(229) 21-30-66-82
Email
ConsularCotonou@state.gov
Website
https://bj.usembassy.gov/

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