By Ayomide Otitoju
Benin President Romuald Wadagni on Tuesday paid a visit to Niger, marking the first presidential trip to Niamey by a Beninese leader since the 2023 military coup and signalling a potential thaw in relations between the neighbouring countries.
Wadagni, who assumed office on May 24, was received by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, according to state broadcaster Tele Sahel.
The visit comes after years of strained relations following Niger’s coup, which prompted the military authorities to sever ties with former colonial power France and close the border with Benin over allegations that the country was hosting French military bases aimed at destabilising Niger.
During the visit, both leaders were expected to discuss the resumption of security cooperation as they confront growing jihadist threats across the region.
In a statement, the Beninese presidency said the trip forms part of Wadagni’s “active neighbourhood diplomacy” strategy aimed at strengthening relations with countries bordering Benin.
Wadagni spent several hours in Niger and was scheduled to continue his regional tour with a visit to Burkina Faso later on Tuesday. His first official foreign trip as president was to Nigeria on Monday.
Relations between the two countries appeared to improve shortly after Wadagni’s election victory, with Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, attending his inauguration in Cotonou and describing the moment as the beginning of “a new path.”
Roads in Niamey were adorned with the flags of both countries during the visit, while hundreds of Beninese residents gathered to welcome the presidential convoy.
Wadagni, a former finance minister and successor to former President Patrice Talon, won the presidential election with 94 per cent of the vote.
Following his victory, Niger’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Toumba, said his government was looking for “goodwill gestures” from the new administration, including assurances that Benin was not supporting French interests or facilitating any military presence targeting neighbouring states.
Niger’s military authorities have repeatedly accused Benin of hosting French military bases and supporting activities linked to armed groups operating in the region. Former President Talon was also accused by General Tiani of supporting groups involved in an attack on Niamey airport earlier this year.
Both Benin and France have consistently rejected the allegations.
Political analyst Odilon Koukoubou said Wadagni’s visit could help ease tensions between Benin and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the confederation formed by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“It felt as though the military leaders of the AES resented Patrice Talon more than they resented Benin itself. Patrice Talon’s departure offered a window of opportunity that had to be seized quickly,” Koukoubou said.
The two countries also share significant economic interests. Niger relies heavily on Benin’s Port of Seme-Kpodji in Cotonou for imports and exports, with official figures indicating that about 80 per cent of Niger’s freight previously passed through the route before diplomatic tensions disrupted trade flows.
While a major oil pipeline transporting Nigerien crude through Benin remains operational, the bridge linking the two countries across the Niger River remains closed and under heavy security, according to local residents.
