Niger junta agrees to negotiations to end strain ties with Benin
The ruling military junta in Niger has consented to engage in diplomatic talks with its counterpart from the Republic of Benin facilitated by two former presidents, Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo.
The peace talks aim to resolve tensions and restore relations between the two nations, which were strained following a military coup in Niger in 2023.
The coup led to the closure of their shared border and the shutdown of a China-backed oil pipeline.
The decision to engage in talks came after a meeting between Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, and the two former Benin presidents on June 24, as announced by Niger’s government on Tuesday.
According to officials from both nations, a meeting between Niger and Benin to resolve their border dispute and restart oil exports has been agreed but no date has been announced.
A successful resolution could pave the way for the resumption of oil flow through the PetroChina-backed pipeline, which has been suspended since mid-June.
The tensions between the two countries date back to the military coup in Niger in July 2023, which led to economic sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for over six months.
The 2,000-km pipeline, which runs from Niger to Benin’s coast, has been idle since the suspension, halting oil exports to China.
