On Tuesday, June 2, Romuald Wadagni, the President-elect of Benin, concluded a brief but significant diplomatic visit to Niger, marking the first such engagement since the military takeover in Niamey in July 2023. This high-level meeting signals a potential easing of previously strained relations between the two nations, which had been marred by mutual accusations of interference and destabilization tactics.

Upon arrival, Romuald Wadagni was greeted by his counterpart, General Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of Niger’s military junta. Prior to his stop in Niamey, the Beninese leader had already met with officials in Nigeria, underscoring the strategic importance of regional engagement. His discussions with General Tiani centered on revitalizing security cooperation, as both countries grapple with the persistent threat of jihadist violence along their shared borders.

Departing Niamey in the early afternoon, Romuald Wadagni proceeded to Burkina Faso for further diplomatic engagements. This visit underscores Benin’s commitment to fostering active neighborly diplomacy, a priority outlined by the Beninese presidency in an official statement.

The thaw in relations was first hinted at during Romuald Wadagni’s inauguration ceremony in Cotonou, where Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, was notably present. This symbolic gesture set the stage for the current diplomatic outreach, which aims to restore trust and collaboration in the Sahel region.

Earlier this year, Patrice Talon, Romuald Wadagni’s predecessor and mentor, was publicly named by General Tiani as one of the alleged backers of the jihadist attack on Niamey’s airport—a claim swiftly denied by Beninese authorities. While Benin faces its own surge in deadly jihadist violence in the northern regions bordering Niger, suspicions have also arisen regarding Niger’s alleged role in a failed coup attempt in Benin back in December 2025, though no direct accusations were made by Cotonou.