Niger’s junta sets conditions for Bénin’s incoming president

The situation. In a lengthy broadcast on Niger’s national television, RTN, on April 21, General Mohamed Toumba, the Minister of the Interior, covered a wide array of topics concerning national security. During the two-and-a-half-hour interview, as Niger faces a surge in jihadist attacks, especially in the Tillabéry region, the general repeated the junta’s frequent accusations against France.

He also addressed the deeply strained relations between Niamey and Cotonou. This discussion on African politics comes as Patrice Talon’s term in Bénin is set to conclude, with his successor, Romuald Wadagni, scheduled for inauguration on May 24.

“Patrice Talon is gone, but Talon was not the real problem. The real problem is Macron,” asserted the Nigerian general. “We say that Talon is someone who is being used by France. (…) He made it easy for the French to come and settle and, from his territory, try to attack us. That is the problem,” he declared.

When questioned about his expectations for Patrice Talon’s successor, the Interior Minister called for “pledges of goodwill.” He insisted that “Bénin must state that it has nothing to do with the interests of France” and that Cotonou must “not facilitate the presence of France on its territory to attack its neighbors, because that is what this is about.”

The background. This verbal assault from a high-ranking member of Niger’s junta is not an isolated incident. The relationship between Bénin and Niger has steadily worsened since the military takeover led by General Abdourahamane Tiani on July 26, 2023.

In late January, following an attack on Niamey’s international airport and Base 101, where the Russian Africa Corps contingent is based, Abdourahamane Tiani issued harsh words. “We remind the sponsors of these mercenaries, especially Emmanuel Macron, Patrice Talon, Alassane Ouattara: we have listened to them bark enough, let them prepare to hear us roar,” he stated, accusing France, Côte d’Ivoire, and Bénin of orchestrating the attack, which was later claimed by the Islamic State.

Why this matters. Although General Mohamed Toumba’s warning is not unprecedented, its timing is particularly noteworthy, occurring just days before Romuald Wadagni’s presidential inauguration in Bénin. This development is a key point in current Africa news in English.

Elected with 94% of the vote in the presidential election on April 12, Patrice Talon’s successor has made several statements indicating a desire for reconciliation with Niamey. “I am convinced that we will be able to sit down and discuss. We have no other choice!” he mentioned in a recent interview. “The countries of the region face the same challenges: security, poverty, and youth unemployment. And they share the same goal: shared prosperity. The only way to achieve this is to work together,” he added.

Wadagni also noted that while “security cooperation with Niger and Burkina Faso is not at the desired level,” the chiefs of staff of the three nations “speak regularly and things will improve.” This optimistic view on governance in Africa, however, does not appear to be shared in Niamey.