Accusations of Destabilization in Niger: Cotonou Chooses Calm Over Escalation

Facing the press on Friday, September 4, the Beninese government implicitly rejected the accusations while reaffirming its opposition to any destabilization of Niger. A measured response, as Cotonou and Niamey had begun to move past their long-standing dispute.

Indeed, after Captain Roger Gabriel’s statements, broadcast on September 1 on Niger’s national television, Cotonou prefers to close the chapter rather than open a new verbal battle with Niamey.

In front of journalists on Friday, the government spokesperson, Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, mainly recalled Benin’s official position: the country has no intention of contributing to the destabilization of Niger and wishes to see relations between the two neighbors continue their path toward normalization.

Captain Roger Gabriel had mentioned information indicating external support for the actors involved in the events at Niamey’s Air Base 101. In his account, Benin was listed alongside Ivory Coast, Chad, and France among the countries cited.
But no element allowing independent verification of these claims was provided in his testimony. It is precisely on this ground that the Beninese government seems to want to avoid engaging.

« I would kindly ask that we devote this time to more useful matters ,” said Wilfried Houngbédji, preferring to redirect attention to Benin’s development priorities.

A response that does not amount to acknowledgment of the alleged facts. On the contrary, Cotonou reaffirms its stance without entering into an escalation with the Nigerien authorities.

A clarification on Benin’s position

On the substance, however, the Beninese government leaves no ambiguity about its position.
« For the same reasons that made us oppose the destabilization of Niger yesterday, for those same reasons, we oppose the destabilization of Niger today and we will oppose it tomorrow ,” affirmed the spokesperson.

Cotonou presents this position as a consequence of the historical and human ties between the two peoples. “They are our brothers, they are our relatives,” Houngbédji recalled, emphasizing the closeness of the populations living on both sides of the two countries.

A few weeks after coming to power, Romuald Wadagni traveled to Niamey to meet General Abdourahamane Tiani. The two leaders then expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral relations and work to remove obstacles to reopening the border between the two countries.

This development was favorably received in several Nigerien circles. Traders and civil society actors notably expressed hope that this visit would open a new chapter in relations between the two neighbors.

An expert committee had even been set up to examine the conditions for reopening the Benin-Niger border, which had long remained closed on the Nigerien side.
The accusations that emerged following the August events therefore come at a particularly sensitive moment.

It is therefore to be hoped that these new accusations will not undermine the praised efforts of President Romuald Wadagni.