Bénin’s recently inaugurated President, Romuald Wadagni, embarked on a pivotal West African tour on Tuesday, June 2, following his official investiture on May 24, 2026. This significant diplomatic journey includes visits to Niger and Burkina Faso, aiming to re-establish and normalize relations between Bénin and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
President Wadagni’s visit marks a historic moment as he becomes the first Béninese president to travel to Niger since the July 26, 2023, ousting of Mohamed Bazoum and the subsequent assumption of power by General Abdourahamane Tiani.
Despite previous attempts by two of his predecessors to mediate between the two nations, which led to a Nigerien delegation’s working visit to Cotonou in July 2024, official progress on reconciliation has remained stalled until now.
Currently, the borders separating Bénin and Niger remain closed, a situation that has severely impacted the economies of both countries and significantly hindered the free movement of people across the region.
