Bilateral talks between Benin and Niger are advancing toward the potential reopening of their shared border, following high-level diplomatic engagement. This progress comes after Benin’s newly elected President Romuald Wadagni paid an official visit to Niger’s capital on June 2nd, signaling a commitment to restoring bilateral relations.

On June 20th, the discussions took place in Cotonou under the joint leadership of Niger’s Minister of State for Security, General Mohamed Toumba, and Benin’s Minister of African Integration, Adjadi Bakari. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together expert committees from both nations to address critical areas including security, defense, diplomacy, legal frameworks, and economic cooperation.

Deliberations are being held behind closed doors, with the second day of negotiations scheduled for Sunday, June 21st. While expectations are high for the border’s eventual reopening, final agreements on defense protocols, security measures, and customs procedures remain pending.