Niamey demands guarantees before reopening border with Benin
Niamey has laid out a series of prerequisites for the reopening of its border with Benin, which has been sealed for nearly three years. The Nigerien government insists on formal agreements that would prevent either nation from using the other’s territory as a base for military operations or destabilization efforts. The proposed accords would also mandate enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms to address cross-border security threats more effectively.
The Nigerien Interior Minister, General Mohamed Toumba, concluded a pivotal meeting in Cotonou on Saturday, June 20, with a Beninese delegation tasked with negotiating the border’s reopening.
During the discussions, General Toumba outlined two non-negotiable requirements: the formalization of a defense pact and a security agreement explicitly prohibiting the use of either country’s territory against the other. He further emphasized the need for full transparency regarding foreign military deployments near the Niger-Benin border, which is demarcated by the Niger River. These remarks were broadcast on national television, Télé Sahel.
Niger has repeatedly accused Benin of hosting French military installations along the shared border—a claim both Cotonou and Paris have consistently denied. The closure, now entering its third year, followed the ascension of Niger’s military leadership in July 2023, which alleged Beninese involvement in destabilization efforts with external backing.
Thaw in bilateral tensions
The strained relations between the two nations, exacerbated by recurrent jihadist violence from Al-Qaïda and ISIS-affiliated groups, began to ease following Beninese President Romuald Wadagni’s early June visit to Niamey. During this visit, both sides acknowledged the urgent need for cooperation to counter transnational threats.
In addition to the defense and security agreements, General Toumba called for the immediate establishment of a joint intelligence fusion cell to strengthen cross-border counterterrorism efforts. “Our armies cannot afford to fight this enemy alone when it recognizes no boundaries,” he stated.
