In a significant move signaling a thaw in diplomatic tensions, Niger’s junta chief, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has appointed Chaibou Kadade as the new ambassador to Benin.
The appointment was formalized in a decree published on Wednesday, with the decision signed by Tiani on Tuesday and announced in the Niger government’s daily publication, Le Sahel.
This step follows an authorisation granted by Benin in October, allowing Kadade to assume his role. Relations between the two neighboring countries had soured after the July 2023 military coup in Niger, which overthrew the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum. In the aftermath, a series of disputes ensued, particularly over the export of Nigerien oil through Benin’s coast and the reopening of their shared border, with tensions escalating in May 2024.
However, in recent months, there have been signs of reconciliation. In mid-November, Benin eased its border controls to permit the free movement of people and select goods between the two nations, although Niger has continued to maintain its border closure. In August, Benin’s new ambassador to Niger, Gildas Djobloski Agonkan, also took up his post in Niamey, further signaling a shift toward normalization of relations.
This development follows the West African bloc ECOWAS lifting sanctions on Niger in February, opening the door for Benin to re-engage diplomatically with Niamey. Despite this, Niger has yet to reopen its side of the border, accusing Benin of hosting French military bases that it claims are aimed at destabilizing Niger. Both Benin and France have denied these allegations.
Further complicating matters, tensions also flared over Benin’s suspension of Niger’s authorization to load oil at the Seme-Kpodji port. The oil is transported to the Beninese coast via the WAPCO pipeline, a key piece of infrastructure for both nations. Despite these ongoing disputes, the recent diplomatic gestures hint at a gradual effort to rebuild trust and cooperation between Niger and Benin.
