Benin’s elected president romuald wadagni visits Niger to mend ties

In a significant diplomatic move, Romuald Wadagni, the newly elected President of Benin, made a brief but strategic visit to Niger on Tuesday, June 2. This marks his first trip to the neighboring country since the military regime in Niamey took power in July 2023, signaling a potential thaw in the strained relations between the two nations. The military government in Niger has kept its border with Benin closed, accusing Cotonou of aligning too closely with Paris and attempting to destabilize Niamey.

Upon landing, President Wadagni was greeted by his counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of Niger’s military junta. Following a brief stop in Nigeria the day before, the focus of this visit was on fostering dialogue with General Tiani. Key topics included revitalizing security cooperation, as both countries grapple with persistent jihadist threats along their shared borders.

Wadagni departed Niamey in the early afternoon, with plans to continue his regional tour in Burkina Faso.

According to a statement from Benin’s presidency, this visit underscores the active neighborhood diplomacy that President Wadagni aims to strengthen with all bordering states. Signs of this diplomatic thaw were evident earlier during Wadagni’s inauguration in Cotonou, where Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, was present.

The warming relations come amid a backdrop of historical tensions. In late January, Patrice Talon, Wadagni’s predecessor and mentor, was publicly accused by General Tiani of supporting jihadist groups that targeted Niamey’s airport. These claims were firmly denied by authorities in Cotonou. It’s worth noting that Benin has itself faced a surge in deadly jihadist violence in its northern regions, which border Niger. Conversely, suspicions have arisen regarding Niger’s possible involvement in a failed coup attempt in Benin back in December 2025, though Cotonou has never explicitly named its neighbor.