Cooperation: Benin’s new request to escort Nigerien military equipment

The convoy, deemed strategic by Nigerien officials, departed from Cotonou and transited through Lomé under Beninese escort. This marks the second request in two months addressed to Benin to ensure the secure transport of military equipment to Niger.

This operation illustrates, according to observers, a logistical dependency of the Nigerien regime on its Beninese neighbor, despite public statements sometimes critical issued by the junta in power in Niamey toward Benin. In his statements, the head of the Nigerien junta, General Abdouramane Tiani, had leveled multiple accusations against Cotonou, including allegations about the existence of alleged foreign military bases on Benin’s territory.

This dependence appears all the more evident as Benin’s corridors remain indispensable for delivering equipment to Niger, despite diplomatic tensions between the two countries.