President Romuald Wadagni’s short visit to Niamey marks a turning point
On Tuesday, June 2, Romuald Wadagni, Bénin’s freshly elected president, made a brief but significant stop in Niger. This was his first trip to Niamey since the military takeover in July 2023, signaling a potential easing of strained relations between the two neighboring nations. The Nigerien junta has kept its border with Bénin shut, accusing Cotonou of being overly aligned with Paris and attempting to undermine Niamey’s authority.
Upon landing, President Wadagni was greeted by General Abdourahamane Tiani, leader of Niger’s military government. Following a prior visit to Nigeria the day before, this stop in Niamey was his second diplomatic engagement, with security cooperation at the top of the agenda. Both countries are grappling with persistent jihadist threats along their shared borders.
Wadagni departed Niamey in the early afternoon, en route to Ouagadougou for his next meeting.
Diplomatic thaw after months of tensions
The Bénin presidency framed the visit as part of an “active neighborhood diplomacy” strategy Wadagni intends to pursue with all neighboring states. Hints of a détente emerged during his inauguration in Cotonou, where Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine was present—a rare show of engagement between the two capitals.
Tensions peaked in late January when General Tiani publicly accused Patrice Talon, Wadagni’s predecessor and mentor, of allegedly supporting jihadist attacks on Niamey’s airport. Cotonou swiftly dismissed these claims. Bénin itself has faced rising jihadist violence in its northern regions, which border Niger. Conversely, rumors have circulated about Niger’s possible involvement in a failed coup attempt in Bénin in December 2025, though Cotonou has refrained from directly implicating Niamey.