Niger’s military government has agreed to dialogue with Port-Novo, in a bid to restore relations after a coup in Niamey last year led to the border closure and a China-backed oil pipeline shutting down.
The sahel country agreed to advanced talks after a meeting between its military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and Benin’s former presidents, Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo, on June 24, according to a statement by Niger’s government on Tuesday. No date has been fixed for the meeting.
Following a potential agreement, oil could continue flowing to China through the PetroChina-backed pipeline. In mid-June, Niger halted oil exports through the 2,000-km pipeline to Benin’s coast as tensions regarding the border closure intensified.
These tensions stem from Niger’s July 2023 coup, prompting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to impose sanctions for over six months.
The relationship between Niger and its neighbouring countries has become strained since. Niamey has accused Benin of allowing insurgents to plan attacks aimed at destabilizing the country. Benin has refuted these allegations.
Furthermore, in June, a rebel group in the country opposed to the junta sabotaged a pipeline, causing minor damage.
During the meeting with the former heads of state of Benin, Tiani expressed his willingness to engage in open and honest discussions, adding that he agreed to the proposal to thaw the current tensions.