Niger’s junta has agreed to hold talks with Benin’s government, facilitated by two former Benin presidents, to mend relations after last year’s coup in Niger led to border closures and the shutdown of a China-backed oil pipeline.
The agreement for the talks came after a meeting on June 24 between Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, and Benin’s former presidents, Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo, according to a statement from Niger’s government on Tuesday.
Authorities from both countries informed Reuters on Wednesday that a date for the meeting has not yet been set.
A resolution from these talks could enable the resumption of oil exports to China via the PetroChina-backed pipeline. Niger suspended oil exports through the 2,000-km (1,243-mile) pipeline to Benin’s coast in mid-June as border closure tensions escalated.
The tensions trace back to Niger’s July 2023 coup, which led the Economic Community of West African States to impose sanctions on Niger for more than six months. Since then, relations between Niger and its neighbors have been strained, with Niger accusing Benin of hosting insurgents aiming to destabilize the Sahel nation, accusations Benin has denied.
The pipeline was sabotaged in June by an armed Niger rebel group opposed to the junta, causing minor damage.
General Tiani expressed openness to a frank dialogue and accepted a proposal from the former Beninese heads of state to defuse tensions, as per Tuesday’s statement. “He agreed to the principle of forming a commission comprised of representatives from Niger’s government, Benin’s government, and the two visiting former Beninese heads of state,” the statement said.
The former leaders also held a follow-up meeting with Benin’s president, Patrice Talon, on Monday, as noted in a separate statement. “The president and the former presidents agreed on the need to reestablish dialogue as agreed by all parties,” it said.
(Reuters)
