The newly elected President of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, made a brief but significant diplomatic visit to Niamey this past Tuesday, June 2nd—a first since the military regime took power in Niger in July 2023. The trip signals a potential easing of the strained relations between the two neighboring West African nations, as Niger’s military leadership has kept its borders with Benin closed, accusing Cotonou of being overly aligned with Paris and attempting to destabilize Niamey.

Upon arrival, President Wadagni was greeted by Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani. Following a prior stop in Nigeria, Wadagni’s second foreign engagement focused on Niger, where discussions with the general centered on reviving bilateral security cooperation. Both countries face persistent threats from jihadist violence along their shared borders.

Wadagni departed Niamey in the early afternoon, with his next diplomatic destination set for Burkina Faso.

a strategic move in regional diplomacy

According to an official statement from Benin’s presidency, this visit reflects President Wadagni’s commitment to an active neighborhood diplomacy, aiming to strengthen ties with all neighboring states. Hints of a thaw in relations emerged during Wadagni’s inauguration in Cotonou, where Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, was in attendance.

from strained accusations to cautious engagement

Relations between the two countries have been rocky. In late January, Wadagni’s predecessor and mentor, President Patrice Talon, was directly named by General Tiani as one of the alleged backers of the jihadist attack on Niamey’s international airport. Cotonou has consistently denied these claims. Meanwhile, Benin has been grappling with its own surge in deadly jihadist violence in the northern regions bordering Niger. Conversely, Niger has faced accusations—though never officially confirmed—of involvement in a failed coup attempt in Benin back in December 2025.