Benin: President Wadagni announced to visit Niger and Burkina Faso, member countries of the AES

Following his inauguration on May 24, the new Beninese president, Romuald Wadagni, began a tour of the sub-region yesterday, Monday, June 1. ^The first stop on this trip was Nigeria. The Beninese head of state was received in audience by his counterpart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the latter's residence in Lagos.

According to a statement from the Beninese presidency, the "two heads of state conducted in-depth talks focusing on the main areas of bilateral cooperation - security, trade, regional integration - in a spirit of frankness and shared vision."

Borders have been closed for several years

After Lagos, the Beninese leader is expected to head to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Niamey (Niger). According to the Beninese newspaper "Le Matinal" and RFI, Romuald Wadagni is expected in both capitals this Tuesday, June 2nd.

His trip to these member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) will be closely scrutinized. It's worth remembering that Niger and Burkina Faso have strained relations with Benin.

President Tiani of Niger has regularly accused Porto-Novo of harboring French bases intended to destabilize his regime. He also criticized former President Talon for having approved an ECOWAS military intervention to remove him from power. The borders between the two countries have been closed for several years.

The strongman of Niamey remained inflexible in the face of mediation attempts aimed at reopening these borders.

Round off the corners

In Burkina Faso, tensions are less pronounced but very real. Like Niamey, Ouagadougou accuses Porto-Novo of hosting French bases whose sinister aim is allegedly to destabilize the ESA. Captain Ibrahim Traoré is also reluctant to forge a genuine security partnership with Benin. The arrival of President Wadagni in power should help smooth things over with these ESA countries.

The new leader has the advantage of a certain degree of political inexperience and a track record. In any case, the Sahelian countries are ready to sit down with him. They all sent a delegation to his inauguration ceremony on May 24th at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou.