Benin Republic summons Niger envoy over terrorism allegations

The Benin Republic has summoned Niger’s chargé d’affaires to address accusations by Nigerien junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming Benin supports terrorist activities in West Africa.
The allegations, described by Benin as unfounded and inflammatory, have heightened diplomatic tensions between the neighboring nations.
Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal protest on Tuesday, with Foreign Minister Olushegun Bakari confirming the move via the ministry’s X account.
“Due to the unfounded accusations made against our country, the chargé d’affaires of Niger has been summoned,” the statement read.
A letter of protest was also delivered to the Nigerien envoy, dismissing the allegations and reaffirming Benin’s commitment to regional peace and cooperation.
The controversy stems from Tchiani’s Christmas Day address, where he accused Benin of acting as a rear base for terrorists intent on destabilizing Niger. These allegations follow Niger’s turbulent political climate after the July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
Benin’s foreign ministry warned that such accusations could jeopardize stability in an already fragile region, stating, “Benin remains committed to dialogue and fraternal collaboration between the two nations.”
Relations between Benin and Niger have been strained in recent years over disputes related to oil exports, border closures, and trade. However, both countries recently demonstrated a willingness to reconcile, evidenced by the exchange of new ambassadors.
The accusations have reverberated beyond Benin, with Niger also implicating Nigeria. Tchiani alleged that Nigeria hosts a French military base aimed at destabilizing Niger. However, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, dismissed the claims as baseless, emphasizing, “Nigeria would never allow a foreign military base on its soil.”
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Nigeria has maintained its openness to dialogue with Niger to foster peace and stability in the region.