Niger-Benin crisis : President Abdourahmane TIANI pauses first step
Nigerien President, General Abdourahamane TIANI, sent a delegation to Benin on Wednesday, July 24, as part of efforts to find a solution to the diplomatic crisis that has been affecting the two countries for several months. This follows a visit to Niamey on June 26 by two former Beninese presidents.
To recap, the conclusions from the discussions between President TIANI and the former Beninese presidents, Yayi Boni and Nicéphore Soglo, recommended the establishment of a tripartite commission to resolve the differences and propose solutions to end the crisis between Niamey and Cotonou.
The commission will be composed of representatives from the governments of both countries, as well as mediators, namely the two former heads of state, who initiated this effort to resolve the disputes between the authorities of the two brotherly and neighboring countries.
According to the press release that followed the meeting between President TIANI and his guests, this commission will facilitate “constructive dialogue” that prioritizes “the superior interests of both countries beyond all other considerations”, despite the “documented evidence” of grievances that Nigerien authorities hold against President Talon’s regime.
In line with this concerted decision, the Nigerien president has dispatched his emissaries to the Beninese authorities. For now, reactions from the Beninese authorities and the potential outcomes of this visit by the Nigerien delegation to Benin are awaited. According to reports, the Nigerien officials will be received by the President of Benin, Patrice Talon.
