At Risk of Losing Critical Funds, Benin Signs BIA

September 19, 2005 – Despite signaling that it would not enter into a Bilateral Immunity Agreement (BIA) with the United States, Benin has reportedly signed a BIA. Prior to signing the agreement, the country risked losing up to $250,000 International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds for fiscal 2005 and up to $50,000 IMET funds for fiscal 2006. The Bush administration officially announced Benin’s decision to sign an agreement preventing the International Criminal Court (ICC) from proceeding against U.S. personnel within the country on September 9.

Benin is the 93rd country Citizens for Global Solutions has been able to verify that has signed a BIA and the 44th ICC member state to do so. Although Benin is the latest African country to sign a BIA, 6 African countries have yet to do so, including regional leaders Kenya and South Africa. Nigeria’s parliament also has moved to rescind that country’s BIA with the U.S.

Updated September 19, 2005