Benin and Niger have agreed to work toward restoring bilateral ties and reopening their shared border, following a high-level meeting between President Romuald Wadagni and military leader Abdourahamane Tiani in Niamey.
The two leaders signed a joint communiqué outlining a shared commitment to remove obstacles to cooperation and rebuild relations that had deteriorated after the 2023 political crisis in Niger.
The visit, which is the first stop of President Wadagni’s Sahelian diplomatic tour, marks a notable shift in regional engagement.
A key outcome of the talks is the decision to establish an expert committee tasked with proposing measures to reopen the Benin–Niger border within 15 days, alongside plans to reactivate the bilateral cooperation commission.
Both sides also pledged to strengthen collaboration on security issues, particularly in the fight against terrorism and cross-border criminal activity affecting the sub-region.
The meeting comes shortly after Benin’s presidential inauguration, which was attended by representatives from Sahel states, and is seen as part of broader efforts to ease tensions and revive dialogue across West Africa.
