Latest news with #Beninese
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Niger-Benin border standoff deepens as trade collapse bites
Representative AI image Nearly two years after Niger's military seized power and the border with Benin was shut, tensions over security, sovereignty and French influence have hardened into a stand-off throttling trade and paralysing ties between the west African neighbours. Benin, which denies hosting foreign forces accused of destabilising Niger, claims it has made repeated overtures to ease the blockade, but efforts have failed despite mounting economic pain on both sides of the border. "Those who are suffering are the people of both countries," Nigerien haulier Ibrahim Abou Koura, who is based in Benin's economic capital Cotonou, said. General Abdourahamane Tiani has repeatedly accused Benin of harbouring French military bases training jihadists to undermine Niger. In May, he insisted the border would "remain closed", saying the fight was not with Benin but with French troops he claims are operating from its soil. The friction since the coup has taken a heavy toll on cross-border trade and travel between the two countries. "Buses aren't as full. There's not the same number of people," said Abou Koura, in the deserted yard of his compound in Zongo, where he once stored goods bound for major Nigerien cities. Still, transport workers in Cotonou say some movement persists, with the Niger River -- a natural border -- remaining a busy crossing despite the official closure. "Goods pass and travellers cross the river to continue their journey by bus on the Niger side," said Alassane Amidou, a resident of Malanville, a city in northeastern Benin. But for trucks unable to cross by water, perilous detours through jihadist-infested zones in Burkina Faso have become the only option. "The Niger-Benin corridor is currently the safest, most profitable and shortest route for transporters and businesses," said Gamatie Mahamadou, secretary-general of a consortium of Nigerien truck driver unions, in Niamey. He called on Niger's military rulers to "immediately normalise relations with Benin", warning that "workers' safety" and "the national economy" are at stake. Cautious optimism Niger's vital oil exports to Benin's port of Seme-Kpodji resumed in late 2024 via a cross-border pipeline after months of disruption. Uranium shipments from northern Niger remain stalled, awaiting either a diplomatic thaw or an alternative route. Benin has denied Niger's claims it is turning a blind eye to any destabilisation attempts and continues to extend an olive branch to Niger. Former presidents Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo travelled to meet General Tiani a year ago in a failed bid to restore ties. Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari in early June said he hoped for "prospects for recovery" provided security conditions are met. "We are hopeful that this will be resolved quickly ... the blockage is not on Benin's side," he told local media. "We have to accept the fact that we are not on the same wavelength sometimes... The door remains open." A new Beninese ambassador may soon be appointed to Niamey, following the quiet February recall of Gildas Agonkan, who had publicly apologised to the Nigerien people "on behalf of all Beninese and the authorities of Benin". "The apology to the Nigerien people was seen in Cotonou as a diplomatic weakening of the country during this crisis," said Guillaume Moumouni, an international relations expert. "The next ambassador must be someone of great repute and who knows Niger well enough to inspire trust and respect." Benin, which maintains it hosts no foreign military bases, has seen a surge in jihadist attacks this year and laments poor cooperation with neighbouring Sahel states also affected. "Not being able to talk directly with its neighbours increases Benin's vulnerability," said Lassina Diarra, head of the Strategic Research Institute of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Ivory Coast. Benin is set to elect a new president in April 2026, which could be a chance to restart "serious negotiations", Moumouni said.
France 24
12-06-2025
- Business
- France 24
Niger-Benin border standoff deepens as trade collapse bites
Benin, which denies hosting foreign forces accused of destabilising Niger, claims it has made repeated overtures to ease the blockade, but efforts have failed despite mounting economic pain on both sides of the border. "Those who are suffering are the people of both countries," Nigerien haulier Ibrahim Abou Koura, who is based in Benin's economic capital Cotonou, said. General Abdourahamane Tiani has repeatedly accused Benin of harbouring French military bases training jihadists to undermine Niger. In May, he insisted the border would "remain closed", saying the fight was not with Benin but with French troops he claims are operating from its soil. The friction since the coup has taken a heavy toll on cross-border trade and travel between the two countries. "Buses aren't as full. There's not the same number of people," said Abou Koura, in the deserted yard of his compound in Zongo, where he once stored goods bound for major Nigerien cities. Still, transport workers in Cotonou say some movement persists, with the Niger River -- a natural border -- remaining a busy crossing despite the official closure. "Goods pass and travellers cross the river to continue their journey by bus on the Niger side," said Alassane Amidou, a resident of Malanville, a city in northeastern Benin. But for trucks unable to cross by water, perilous detours through jihadist-infested zones in Burkina Faso have become the only option. "The Niger-Benin corridor is currently the safest, most profitable and shortest route for transporters and businesses," said Gamatie Mahamadou, secretary-general of a consortium of Nigerien truck driver unions, in Niamey. He called on Niger's military rulers to "immediately normalise relations with Benin", warning that "workers' safety" and "the national economy" are at stake. Cautious optimism Niger's vital oil exports to Benin's port of Seme-Kpodji resumed in late 2024 via a cross-border pipeline after months of disruption. Uranium shipments from northern Niger remain stalled, awaiting either a diplomatic thaw or an alternative route. Benin has denied Niger's claims it is turning a blind eye to any destabilisation attempts and continues to extend an olive branch to Niger. Former presidents Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo travelled to meet General Tiani a year ago in a failed bid to restore ties. Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari in early June said he hoped for "prospects for recovery" provided security conditions are met. "We are hopeful that this will be resolved quickly ... the blockage is not on Benin's side," he told local media. "We have to accept the fact that we are not on the same wavelength sometimes... The door remains open." A new Beninese ambassador may soon be appointed to Niamey, following the quiet February recall of Gildas Agonkan, who had publicly apologised to the Nigerien people "on behalf of all Beninese and the authorities of Benin". "The apology to the Nigerien people was seen in Cotonou as a diplomatic weakening of the country during this crisis," said Guillaume Moumouni, an international relations expert. "The next ambassador must be someone of great repute and who knows Niger well enough to inspire trust and respect." Benin, which maintains it hosts no foreign military bases, has seen a surge in jihadist attacks this year and laments poor cooperation with neighbouring Sahel states also affected. "Not being able to talk directly with its neighbours increases Benin's vulnerability," said Lassina Diarra, head of the Strategic Research Institute of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Ivory Coast. Benin is set to elect a new president in April 2026, which could be a chance to restart "serious negotiations", Moumouni said.
Ya Biladi
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Friendly match : Ayoub El Kaabi secures victory for Morocco against Benin
With a revamped lineup, Morocco edged past Benin 1–0 in a friendly match on Monday evening at the Fès Sports Complex. As announced beforehand, Walid Regragui used the occasion to test new strategies and explore fresh options. Zakaria El Ouahdi started on the right flank, stepping in for Achraf Hakimi, the PSG star and newly crowned European champion. In goal, Munir Kajoui, fresh off a CAF Confederation Cup victory with RS Berkane, was given the start. In midfield, Oussama Saharoui was tasked with supporting El Kaabi and Rahimi up front. From the outset, the Atlas Lions applied heavy pressure against a Beninese side that sat deep in defense. Saibari and Rahimi set the tone early in the first half. Morocco pushed hard for openings, constantly threatening the opposition's box, but Benin stayed compact, looking for counterattacks that were mostly snuffed out in midfield. In the 33rd minute, El Kaabi missed a left-footed shot after a defensive miscommunication on the Beninese side. Just seconds before halftime, El Kaabi redeemed himself with one of the most spectacular goals of his career — a bicycle kick finish off a perfect cross from Masina, whom Regragui later called «the pleasant surprise» of the night. Morocco went into the break with a deserved 1–0 lead. The second half followed a similar pattern: Moroccan dominance in attack against a disciplined Beninese defense. Regragui made a few changes, bringing on Targhalline and Zouhzouh to inject energy into the midfield. Bilal El Khannouss and Marouane also came off the bench.
Egypt Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt, Benin ink cooperation deals
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, signed a number of cooperation agreements with his Beninese counterpart Olushegun Adjadi Bakari. The ministers inked the deals following their talks in the Foreign Ministry's premises in the New Administrative Capital. The deals included an agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and a memorandum of understanding on training of diplomats, among others.
Daily News Egypt
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Abdelatty, Benin FM discuss bilateral ties, African security
Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, held political consultations with Benin's Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, on Tuesday, to discuss ways to support bilateral relations and address challenges facing the African continent. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf stated that Minister Abdelatty welcomed the Beninese Foreign Minister's visit, which comes within the framework of the political consultation mechanism signed between the two countries in February 2000. Abdelatty expressed interest in enhancing economic cooperation and trade exchange between the two nations, and elevating cooperation in various fields including construction, infrastructure, tourism, culture, electricity and renewable energy, sanitation, pharmaceuticals, cotton and textiles, and agro-industrial and food processing. The Foreign Minister, in this context, emphasised the interest of Egyptian private sector companies in entering the Beninese market, highlighting the expertise of Egyptian companies in infrastructure, energy, and construction projects in various African countries. Minister Abdelatty also welcomed Benin's participation in training courses offered by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD), noting that Benin has benefited from 208 training courses with a total of 366 trainees. He also pointed to existing cooperation in combating terrorism and extremist ideology, whether through Al-Azhar Al-Sharif missions and the training of preachers and imams, or through training courses provided by the Agency. Minister Abdelatty stressed Egypt's keenness on achieving security and stability in the Sahel and West Africa region, affirming support for Benin in its counter-terrorism efforts, especially since the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region impacts all countries in the area, including Sudan, Libya, and the states bordering the Gulf of Guinea. The spokesperson added that the Foreign Minister briefed his Beninese counterpart on developments in the Middle East and Egypt's mediation efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza. He also addressed the parameters of Egypt's position on the crisis in Sudan, and developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, affirming Egypt's commitment to participating in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as part of supporting stability in the Horn of Africa. At the end of the consultations, the two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in diplomatic training, to train a number of Beninese diplomats at the Institute for Diplomatic Studies affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also signed an MoU for the mutual exemption of entry visas for holders of official passports, to facilitate and expedite mutual visits for further strengthening relations between the two countries.
