Expert committees from Benin and Niger convened in Cotonou to pave the way for the reopening of their shared border. This gathering follows the landmark visit by Benin’s newly elected President Romuald Wadagni to Niger’s capital on June 2, marking a pivotal step in mending bilateral relations between the two nations.

The June 20 meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cotonou, was jointly led by Niger’s State Minister of Security, General Mohamed Toumba, and Benin’s Minister of African Integration, Adjadi Bakari. Discussions spanned critical areas including security protocols, defense frameworks, diplomatic channels, legal considerations, and economic cooperation.

The closed-door sessions continued into Sunday, June 21, signaling cautious optimism about the process. While progress is evident, final agreements on defense mechanisms, security measures, and customs procedures remain pending before the border can be officially reopened.