Source : Sahel weather

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The crisis between Niger and Benin continues to escalate. The cause: the dispute over the reopening of their common border, the outcome of which is far from clear. In particular, the arrest of Nigerien officials at the port of Sèmè-Kpodji (Benin) has aggravated the situation. Five Nigerian nationals were arrested at the Beninese port after "entering the site without declaring their identity", according to the Special Prosecutor of the Beninese Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism.

In the background, the strained relations between the two countries since the putsch that deposed the elected ex-president Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. And now there's the tug-of-war over the border, with the loading of Nigerian oil at Sèmè Kpodji via the pipeline managed by the Chinese company Wapco. In the end, three of the five nationals arrested were remanded in custody and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence. On their return home, they were awarded the "Medal of Sovereignty Sarauniya Mangou" by General Tiani, for "highly patriotic acts [which] deserve the gratitude of the people of Niger." 

With this in mind, former presidents Nicéphore Soglo and Boni Yayi visited Niger on June 24. The aim was to initiate mediation on the crisis. No official resolution has yet emerged from their mission. However, Beninese sources emphasize that General Tiani is "ready to work towards a consensual solution". The two Beninese mediators are also due to meet the President on July 1.

In addition, the security situation in the north of the country, now faced with the threat of terrorism, continues to evolve towards uncertainty. On June 4, seven soldiers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Pendjari National Park. The park, located on the border with Burkina Faso, is the epicenter of jihadist incursions. In this connection, the Beninese army will soon be taking delivery of French Delair drones. This deployment is part of Operation Mirador, designed to counter the terrorist threat, mainly from Niger and Burkina Faso.