The Nigerien Minister of State for the Interior, Public Security and Territorial Administration, Major General Mohamed Toumba, has begun a series of consultations in Cotonou with Beninese authorities, marking a new step in the ongoing rapprochement between Niger and Benin. Leading a large delegation, he is expected to discuss with his counterparts the practical modalities for reopening the shared border as well as ways to revive bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
This visit follows the June 2 meeting in Niamey between Beninese President Romuald Wadagni and Nigerien Head of State General Abdourahamane Tiani, during which both leaders expressed their commitment to move past the tensions linked to the July 2023 crisis. It also builds on the June 16 joint communiqué announcing “fruitful results” from technical consultations on border reopening, with experts having already submitted their initial conclusions for further consolidation ahead of a final report to both heads of state.
