A “high-level” delegation from Niamey is in Cotonou to resolve the crisis between the two feuding neighbours after relations plummetted to an all-time low following Mohamed Bazoum’s overthrow last year.
The National Council for the Protection of the Homeland (CNSP) announced on Wednesday that it was sending a high-powered delegation to Cotonou at the request of former Beninese presidents Yayi Boni and Nicéphore Soglo”.
The CNSP said this was with the authorisation of current Beninese President Patrice Talon.
Boni and Soglo had visited Niamey on June 24 in an attempt to ease tensions between the two neighbours.
The delegation, led by the Minister of State, Brigadier General Mohamed Toumba, also includes Dr. Soumana Boubacar, Minister and Head of the Cabinet of the President of the CNSP, as well as representatives of the High Command of the National Gendarmerie, the High Command of the National Guard, the National Police, and the General Directorate of Documentation and External Security.
The aim of the visit is to discuss a number of issues of common interest to both Niger and Benin.
It comes against the backdrop of tense relations since the July 2023 coup, with Niamey regularly accusing Cotonou of serving as a rear base for international powers targeting Niger for subversive activities.
Despite the lifting of sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in February 2024, the borders between Niger and Benin have remained closed, leading Cotonou to refuse to serve as a transit point for Niger’s crude oil, which was due to be exported last May via the Chinese company CNPC.
AC/sf/lb/as/APA