The Nigerien Minister of Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, held talks in Cotonou on June 20 with a committee of experts to discuss the border’s reopening. He emphasized two non-negotiable prerequisites: the establishment of a defense pact and a security accord that strictly prohibits the use of one country’s territory against the other.

General Toumba also insisted on full transparency regarding foreign military deployments near the shared border, which follows the Niger River. These remarks were broadcasted on Télé Sahel, Niger’s national television.

Over recent years, Niamey has repeatedly accused Benin of hosting French military bases along the border—a claim both Cotonou and Paris have consistently denied.

This border closure, now approaching its third year, stems from tensions that escalated after a military-led government took power in Niamey in July 2023, accusing Benin of attempting to destabilize Niger with external support.

Thaw in bilateral relations

The recent visit by Benin’s President, Romuald Wadagni, to Niger in early June marked a significant shift in the strained relations between the two countries. Both nations face persistent jihadist threats from groups affiliated with Al-Qaïda and the Islamic State.

The Nigerien Interior Minister, a key figure in the junta, also called for the operationalization of a joint intelligence fusion cell to ensure that Benin and Niger no longer combat shared security threats in isolation.