Niger’s junta has agreed to hold talks with Benin’s government, mediated by two former Benin presidents, to restore relations after last year’s coup in Niger led to a border closure and the shutdown of a China-backed oil pipeline.
The agreement to enter talks followed a meeting on June 24 between Niger’s military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and former Benin presidents Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo, according to a statement by Niger’s government on Tuesday.
Authorities from both countries informed media on Wednesday that a date for the talks had not yet been set.
A resolution could lead to the resumption of oil exports to China via the PetroChina-backed pipeline. Niger halted oil exports through the 2,000-km (1,243-mile) pipeline to Benin’s coast in mid-June amid escalating border tensions.
The tensions trace back to Niger’s July 2023 coup, which prompted the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States to impose sanctions on Niger for more than six months. Relations between Niger and its neighbors have been strained, with Niger accusing Benin of hosting insurgents aiming to destabilize the Sahel nation. Benin has denied these accusations.
In June, the pipeline was sabotaged by an armed Niger rebel group opposed to the junta, causing minor damage.
General Tiani told the former Benin presidents that he was open to a frank dialogue and accepted their proposal to defuse tensions, according to Tuesday’s statement.
“He agreed to the principle of forming a commission comprised of representatives from Niger’s government, Benin’s government, and the two visiting former Benin heads of state,” the statement said.
The former leaders held a follow-up meeting with Benin’s President Patrice Talon on Monday.
“The president and the former presidents agreed on the need to reestablish dialogue as agreed by all parties,” they said in a separate statement.
