Bénin and Niger are speeding up the normalization of their relations, which have been strained since the junta took power in Niamey in July 2023. The visit of new Bénin president Romuald Wadagni to the Nigerien capital on June 2 revived the easing of tensions. On Saturday, June 20, joint expert committees met in Cotonou to continue discussions on reopening the common border and fully unfreezing relations. The first day of work ended late afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Nigerien State Minister for Security, General Mohamed Toumba, and his Bénin counterpart for African Integration, Adjadi Bakari, chaired the June 20 meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cotonou. Also present were senior military and police officers, as well as intelligence officials.
The experts were divided into three working groups: security and defense, diplomacy and legal, and finally economy. All subjects of discord and mistrust were put on the table. At the end of their work, each group will present its findings in plenary session.
In opening remarks, General Mohamed Toumba and Oloushegun Adjadi Bakari spoke. The June 2 meeting between Romuald Wadagni and Abdourahamane Tiani in Niamey opened “a new path, that of reconciliation and fraternal dialogue,” said the Nigerien security minister. For his part, the Bénin minister for African Integration affirmed: “The Bénin delegation is fully committed to ensuring that the efforts seen in recent weeks and the notable progress in discussions become a reality.”
A border reopening eagerly awaited
A participant noted “an open-mindedness and willingness on both sides.” A senior official stated that “accusations of destabilization are behind us,” in a reference to the long-standing reproaches from Niamey against Cotonou that Bénin hosted French military bases and served as a relay for terrorist groups responsible for attacks on Nigerien territory.
The border reopening, highly anticipated? “It is decided,” assured a member of the economic commission. A diplomat added that some “confidence measures” still need to be taken, without specifying their nature. “It will be soon,” said a member of the Nigerien delegation.
The closed-door meeting continues this Sunday, June 21. “Work is not yet finished,” recalled a delegate. According to a source, the objective is to reach agreement on defense, security, and customs exchanges between the two countries.
