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Benin’s new president, Romuald Wadagni, visited neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso on Tuesday, signalling easing tensions between his country and the military-led West African states.
Wadagni, who took office on May 24, spent several hours in Niger before travelling to Burkina Faso to meet with junta leader Ibrahim Traoré.
The high-level diplomatic tour marks a fresh start for the region after Niger’s military rulers previously severed ties with traditional ally France and closed the border with Benin, accusing the country of hosting hostile French military bases.
Following their Tuesday meeting, Wadagni and Nigerien junta chief Abdourahamane Tiani issued a joint statement pledging to remove all obstacles to cooperation and specifically work toward reopening their shared border.
The two leaders also vowed to join forces against the terrorism and banditry currently afflicting the subregion.
Later in Burkina Faso, Wadagni and Traore mirrored this sentiment, reaffirming their willingness to reinforce their partnership and consolidate cooperation against cross-border crime and violent extremism.
Wadagni’s office described the trip as part of an active neighbourhood diplomacy strategy targeting all states bordering Benin.
Relations had already begun to thaw when Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, attended Wadagni’s inauguration and spoke of a new path forward.
Ahead of the visit, Niger’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Toumba, had expressed hope for goodwill gestures from the new Beninese president to prove that Benin does not facilitate French interests or train jihadists—accusations that both Benin and Paris have consistently denied.
Political analysts note that the departure of former Beninese President Patrice Talon, whom the military leaders deeply resented, created a critical window of opportunity to repair relations.
The diplomatic breakthrough carries massive economic weight, as Niger relies heavily on Benin’s port of Seme-Kpodji in Cotonou for 80 per cent of its freight and supplies.
While a giant pipeline continues to export Nigerien oil through Benin, the sole bridge linking the two countries across the Niger River currently remains closed under heavy security.
