Diplomatic Tension: Sahel State Claims Neighbor Kidnapped Nationals

Niger’s military government has lodged an accusation against Benin, claiming that they have kidnapped five Nigeriens who were on an official assignment to oversee the loading of an oil shipment at the Seme-Kpodji pipeline terminal.

This statement was released on Sunday, following Beninese special prosecutor Mario Metonou’s announcement on Thursday that they had detained five Niger nationals for allegedly entering the Seme-Kpodji pipeline terminal under false pretenses.

According to the prosecutor, the group was arrested on Wednesday, and it has been revealed that at least two of them are agents for Niger’s military leadership who used forged documents to gain access to the port.

However, Niamey’s authorities have refuted these allegations, asserting that the team works for the Nigerien branch of the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO-Niger).

In a statement, the Nigerien government stated, “All these individuals who were allegedly kidnapped and held hostage took a regular flight, completing all airport formalities upon departure from Niamey and upon arrival at the Cardinal Bernadin Gantin international airport in Cotonou.”

Tensions between the two West African nations have been escalating since last month when Benin blocked crude exports from landlocked Niger via its port. Benin demanded that Niamey fully reopen its border to Benin’s goods and normalize relations before shipments could resume.

Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine criticized the Beninese government’s decision to prevent Niamey from using the port of Seme Kpodji, located 30km south of Benin’s economic capital, Cotonou. He deemed it a violation of the bilateral trade agreements between the two countries.

Niger heavily relies on Benin for its crude oil shipments, and this blockade poses a threat to the country’s plans to commence exporting the product to China under a $400 million commodity-backed agreement with the China National Petroleum Corporation.

Several mediation meetings have taken place between Niamey and Cotonou, initiated by the Chinese side, in an attempt to resolve the dispute. However, as of now, no agreement has been reached.

Previously, the new leadership in Niamey had accused Cotonou of providing support for a cross-border invasion that was planned by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the backing of France. The objective of this invasion was to restore Bazoum’s rule.

In response to the coup, Benin had also implemented ECOWAS sanctions on Niger, which included the closure of borders. However, these sanctions were lifted in February.

Despite this, Niger has chosen to keep its borders closed to goods from Benin, citing security concerns.

In a statement released on Sunday, Niamey accused Beninese President Patrice Talon of working under the influence of foreign powers and engaging in increasing provocations that align with his hostile actions against Niger.