Babilown points to an article in Le Matin (Fr) about rumors that Benin's government plans to create a Ministry of Religion, and outlines the potential of such a ministry to erode the constitutional separation of church and state (Fr). In a comment, T. Nouatin agrees that although a Ministry of Religion can hijacked by religious interests seeking to exert control over the state, it can also be a means of easing tensions between religious communities and preventing sectarian violence.