Niger and Benin negotiate conditions to open border

As Benin and Niger prepare to reopen the border, Niamey requires some conditions be met which were stated on the 26th of July. According to RFI, 8 weeks after the visit of the Benin President to Niger and following 5 weeks of special reunions, friction remains as judicial and security issues are still on the table. 

Since the closing of the shared border in 2023, relations had been frozen until the arrival of a new president in Benin, Romuald Wadagni, who took it upon himself to travel to Sahel countries, including Niger, to normalise diplomatic relations. The meetings that took place in June showed a will to cooperate from both governments.

However, despite mounting optimism, many issues still create tension between the Beninese administrative capital Cotonou and the Nigerien military junta. During a broadcast on the Nigerien state television, Nigerien military leader Abdourahamane Tiani explained that “there are several preconditions that must be met before the irreversible decision to reopen the border can be taken.”

After meetings in Cotonou last June, initial plans had been made to ensure both countries signed an agreement. However, Niger has been asking for specific requirements from Benin, particularly that foreign army troops that the Nigerien junta suspects are located in the north of Benin leave the territory. Benin denies the presence of any foreign powers. 

Another demand from Niger is an amnesty for Nigerien officials, including the Deputy Managing Director of the West African Oil Pipeline Company (WAPCo) Niger, who was handed an 18-month suspended sentence by Benin’s Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET) in June 2024 for impersonation and the use of forged badges. Although they were allowed to return freely to Niger at the time, Niamey is now seeking to have their convictions expunged.

The Beninese government has yet to respond to these requests, while no official statements have been made yet. Experts had initially predicted the reopening of the border for the 15th of July for the crossing of civilians, and later for large merchandise and containers. 

RFI, Maghrebi.org