President Patrice Talon of Benin has called on Niger's military rulers to collaborate and reopen their side of the border, stating that Benin will only allow ships to load Nigerien crude exports at its Seme port if Niger cooperates. This comes after Benin eased trade restrictions on its side of the border, following sanctions imposed on Niger after a coup in July last year.
Talon expressed frustration that Niger's military leaders are treating Benin like an "enemy" and not working to restore ties and formalize trade, instead allowing informal border crossings. He emphasized that Benin is willing to cooperate, but Niger must meet them halfway.
The landlocked nation of Niger relies on Benin's Seme port to export its crude oil, with a pipeline running from its oilfields to the Atlantic coast. Talon's statement suggests that Niger's oil shipment loadings have not been stopped or blocked, but rather that Benin is seeking formal cooperation and an end to illicit trafficking.
As reported by Channels Television, in December, Benin lifted its suspension of imported goods transiting to Niger through the port of Cotonou, which was part of sanctions imposed by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS following the coup. The closure of the northern border had impacted Benin's government revenues and food prices.