Former Beninese presidents Nicéphore Soglo and Yayi Boni arrived in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, on Monday as part of a mediation effort related to the diplomatic crisis that has pitted their country against Niger for several months.
According to a broadcast on Nigerien public television, the two former Beninese heads of state arrived early in the evening at Diori Hamani International Airport, where they were welcomed by the Minister of State for the Interior, Brigadier General Mohamed Toumba, accompanied by the chief of staff of the Nigerien presidency.
However, Nicéphore Soglo and Yayi Boni made no statements upon their arrival in Niamey. In a press release published on Sunday, the communication teams of the two former presidents indicated that, in light of the crisis between Niger and Benin, Nicéphore Soglo and Yayi Boni “wished to meet the Nigerien authorities for discussions.”
The statement specified that during their stay, the two former heads of state would exchange views “with Nigerien officials at the highest level in order to help restore cordial, fraternal, and mutually beneficial relations” between Niger and Benin.
Since the coup d’état on July 26 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, relations between Niger and Benin have deteriorated. The Beninese authorities, following the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), closed their border with neighboring Niger.
Although the regional organization later lifted its sanctions against Niger, the Nigerien authorities refused to reopen their border with Benin, accusing the country of hosting French military bases. Despite denials by the Beninese authorities, Niamey has not changed its position.
Tensions escalated further when Beninese police arrested five Nigerien agents sent to assist in the loading of Nigerien crude oil at the Beninese port of Sèmé-Kpodji.
Niger halted the shipment of its crude oil to Benin, despite the release of the five agents, three of whom were tried and sentenced to eighteen months in prison by the Beninese courts.