Benin and Niger lift all barriers to strengthen bilateral cooperation
On June 2, Cotonou and Niamey reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepen collaboration across multiple sectors during an official visit by Benin’s President, Romuald Wadagni, to Niger at the invitation of his counterpart, Abdourahamane Tiani.
A joint statement released after the visit underscored the Presidents’ conviction that political, economic, scientific, and cultural ties between the two nations must be strengthened. They agreed to intensify mutual exchanges, including through regular meetings of the Niger-Benin Joint Cooperation Commission.
Both leaders pledged to eliminate all obstacles hindering bilateral cooperation, with a priority on reopening the Benin-Niger border. This border, long closed due to past tensions, had severely restricted human movement and economic activities in the region.
To translate this political will into actionable steps, the Presidents announced the formation of an expert committee tasked with identifying barriers and proposing solutions within a 15-day deadline.
The discussions between Wadagni and Tiani, including their respective delegations, were described as highly cordial. They provided an opportunity to thoroughly assess challenges facing both countries, as well as key regional and international issues.
The two heads of state celebrated the long-standing bonds of friendship and cooperation uniting Benin and Niger. They reaffirmed their shared determination to revitalize bilateral relations, aligning them with the aspirations of their citizens for peace, security, and development.
As Benin’s newly inaugurated President, sworn in on May 24, normalizing relations with neighboring countries is a cornerstone of his agenda. He extended an official invitation to Tiani to visit Benin at his earliest convenience.