NIGER Niger to Export Crude Oil via Chad Pipeline

The Nigerien government has announced its intention to use the Chad pipeline to export its crude oil to the international market. The Prime Minister made this statement during a council of ministers meeting held on Monday. Referring to the good relations between Niger and Chad, Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamin Zaine mentioned that a committee has been established to oversee the work leading to the delivery of the crude oil.

Since last April, Niger has been exporting its crude oil through Benin via a pipeline of more than two thousand kilometers, connecting the oil site of Agadem to the Beninese port of Sèmé-Kpodji. However, on June 6, Niger halted its oil shipments to Benin in protest against the arrest by Beninese police of its five representatives who were present at the loading of crude oil onto a ship at the port of Sèmé-Kpodji.

Relations between Niger and Benin have deteriorated since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26. The Beninese authorities, following the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decision, closed their border with neighboring Niger. Although ECOWAS 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.

On Monday, former Beninese presidents Nicéphore Soglo and Boni Yayi arrived in Niger as part of a mediation initiative to help reduce tensions between Niamey and Porto-Novo.

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