The quarrel between Niger and Benin is increasing: the military regime in Niamey has closed the valves on the pipeline since June 6 that transports oil from the northeast of Niger to the Beninese port of Sèmè-Kpodji, announced Nigerien public television. , Télé Sahel, Thursday June 13. Relations between the two neighbors, tense since the military coup which overthrew Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, have clearly deteriorated in recent weeks. The main sticking point concerns Niger’s refusal to reopen its border.
“From June 11 to 12”the Nigerien Minister of Oil, Mahaman Moustapha Barké, stayed in Agadem (north-east) “to ensure the effective implementation of the instructions of the Head of State, General Abdourahamane Tiani, relating to the total closure of the valves for crude intended for export” via Benin, Télé Sahel said. At the Mélec station, the minister “observed that the valves have actually been closed since June 6 at 10 p.m.”adds this same source.
At the other Koulélé stations, where oil continued to flow towards Benin even after the “valve shutdown measures”The Minister “demanded” their immediate closure. Chains, padlocks and seals have been placed on all valves. Whatever the cost, “we are ready to take responsibility” the consequences, declared Mr. Barké in front of Nigerien officials and Chinese partners. This oil is essential for the economies of both countries and for the Chinese company Wapco, which exploits it.
Read also | Closed border, blocked oil: tension rises between Niger and Benin
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Last week, five Nigerien nationals from Wapco-Niger were arrested at the port of Sèmè-Kpodji, which Niamey described as kidnapping, ensuring that it was ready to “take all measures to obtain the unconditional release of its citizens taken hostage”. According to Niamey, this team was on a mission to Benin to control the loading of oil. Beninese justice, for its part, estimates that at least two of them are “Nigerian agents” entered the site with false badges. The five people were to be presented to a prosecutor on Thursday.
“We cannot accept sitting while our oil is being stolen by other people” because “we are not present where we have to load it”, lamented Mr. Barké. Niamey, which, after the lifting of regional sanctions imposed for several months after the coup, had reopened its border with Nigeria, refuses to reopen that with Benin. The regime accuses its neighbor of sheltering “French bases” in its northern part in order to “to train terrorists” who would like to destabilize Niger, which both France and Benin deny.
