The leader of Niger’s military junta, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has dispatched a high-level delegation to Benin. This delegation aims to meet with Benin’s president, Patrice Talon, to address rising tensions between the two nations. These tensions have escalated following Niger’s closure of its borders and Benin’s subsequent suspension of crude oil exports.
The delegation will be led by Brigadier General Mohamed Toumba, who serves as the Minister of State and Interior. He will be accompanied by Soumana Boubacar, the Minister of the Cabinet for the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), along with representatives from various security agencies, including the National Gendarmerie, the National Guard, the National Police, and the General Directorate of Documentation and External Security. This information was shared in a statement from the CNSP on their official Facebook account.
The CNSP noted that the delegation’s visit was prompted by requests from former Beninese presidents Nicéphore Soglo and Boni Yayi, who played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue between the two countries. Their previous mediation efforts successfully established a commission to address the ongoing disputes.
Relations between Niamey and Porto Novo have deteriorated significantly since the coup in summer 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. This political upheaval resulted in sanctions and trade suspensions by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In response to security concerns, the Nigerien military junta closed its border with Benin, prompting President Talon to halt oil exports from his country.
For more details on West African politics, you can explore sources like the BBC or Al Jazeera.
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