Nigerian Prime Minister Criticizes Benin’s Oil Export Blockade, Alleging Violation of Agreements

Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, has accused Benin of breaching trade agreements with Niger’s Chinese partners. The blockade, a response to a border closure, endangers Niger’s plan to commence crude exports under a $400 million deal with China National Petroleum Corp.

Zeine mentioned that the blockade contravened approximately twelve agreements signed by Benin, Niger, and the Chinese side regarding a newly established pipeline connecting Niger’s Agadem oil field to the Benin port of Cotonou. Benin has indicated that it will only withdraw its stance once Niger reopens its border to goods from Benin and normalizes relations.

Zeine affirmed that Niger would not adhere to Benin’s demand for a complete border reopening, citing security concerns as the rationale for maintaining the border closure.

Niger is grappling with a decade-long insurgency spearheaded by armed groups associated with Islamic State and Al Qaeda, aiming to broaden their influence from the central Sahel region into coastal nations.