Benin–Niger relations

Benin–Niger relations are the bilateral diplomatic relations between Benin and Niger. The two countries share a state border measuring 277 km in length.

History

In the 1880s, European powers were engaged in intense competition for territories in Africa. The culmination of these events was the Berlin Conference of 1884, at which the interested European states agreed on their territorial claims and the rules for conducting military operations. As a result, France gained control over the upper Niger River valley, roughly corresponding to the territories of present-day Mali and Niger. Beginning in 1893, France started to annex the territory of modern-day Benin, later naming it Dahomey. In 1900, the territory covering present-day Niger was conquered by the French. Both territories were incorporated into French West Africa. The Niger and Mékrou River were established as forming the boundary between Niger and Dahomey under the French statute of 27 October 1938.

As the decolonization movement grew in the period following the end of World War II, France gradually granted greater political rights and authority to its African colonies, leading to the establishment of broad internal autonomy for each colony in 1958 within the framework of the French Community. In August 1960, both Niger and the Republic of Dahomey (renamed Benin in 1975) gained full independence, and their shared border became an international boundary between two sovereign states.

Since independence, a number of disputes arose over the precise ownership of 24 riverine islands, most notably Lété Island, none of which were covered by colonial-era boundary agreements. Both states referred the case to the International Court of Justice in 2001, which issued a ruling in 2005 awarding 16 islands to Niger and 9 to Benin.

In September 2023, Niger terminated the military cooperation agreement concluded with Benin in 2022, citing Benin's failure to comply with the terms of the agreement.

Trade

In 2020, Benin's exports to Niger amounted to US$38.97 million. Exported goods included salt; sulfur; earth, stone, gypsum, lime, and cement; sugar and confectionery; metallurgical products; articles of iron or steel; animal feed; beverages, spirits, and vinegar; fertilizers; and milling products, malt, and starches.

In the same year, Niger's exports to Benin totaled US$3.41 million. These exports consisted of plastics; machinery and boilers; vegetables, roots, and tubers; vehicles; mineral fuels and oils; miscellaneous food products; electrical equipment; cereals; flour and starch; dairy products; and coffee, tea, maté, and spices.

See also

• Foreign relations of Benin
• Foreign relations of Niger
• Benin–Niger border

References

Niger Category:Bilateral relations of Niger