Niger-Benin pipeline crisis: No resolution in sight

The ongoing tension between Benin and Niger has hampered progress on a major oil pipeline project, involving the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), which aims to link the Koulele region in Niger to the port of Seme in Benin. The project is expected to produce around 90,000 barrels of oil per day, but Niger currently pumps only about 20,000 barrels per day, primarily from CNPC’s operations in the Agadem Rift Basin.

Despite recent diplomatic attempts to resolve the deadlock, the border between the two countries remains closed on Niger’s side due to security concerns related to terrorism, as stated by Niger’s government. Benin’s Minister of Mines, Samou Seidou Adambi, met with his Nigerien counterpart in Niamey, but the talks failed to make significant progress. President Patrice Talon of Benin expressed frustration that his message to Niger’s transitional president, Abdourahmane Tchiani, was not delivered directly, though another member of the Nigerien junta received it.

In a related development, Nigerien Prime Minister Lamine Ali Zeine clarified that Tchiani was engaged in another meeting during the minister’s visit and refuted claims of hostility towards Nigerien representatives at the Benin port. However, Benin continues to call for the reopening of the border, emphasizing that a stable inter-state relationship is essential for the regular operation of the oil pipeline.

While Benin has granted temporary authorization for the first ship to load oil at the Seme platform, long-term cooperation remains in jeopardy without a resolution to the border and diplomatic issues.