Crisis Around The Niger-benin Pipeline: No End In Sight

The interstate committee conference between Benin and Niger did not resolve any disputes between the neighboring countries.

The countries collaborated on an oil project that hasn’t yet taken off with the China National Petroleum Corp.

Ninety thousand barrels a day will be produced by the pipeline that connects the port of Seme in Benin to Koulele in Niger.

Currently, China National Petroleum Corp. projects in the Agadem Rift Basin in the southeast of the country supply the majority of Niger’s 20,000 barrels per day of oil.

The Nigerien side of the border is still closed following months of tense ties.

Samou Seidou Adambi, the minister of mines for Benin, met with his counterpart last week in Niamey.

However, his president, Patrice Talon, expressed regret that the representative was unable to reach Niger’s interim president, Abdourahmane Tchiani, with his message.
In response, Lamine Ali Zeine, the prime minister of Niger, stated on Saturday, June 1, that Tchiani was at another meeting during the minister’s visit. Furthermore, Tchiani ensured that Patrice Talon’s communication reached a fellow member of the CNSP, the junta over which he presides.

Then he charged that Benin had driven out Nigerien delegates who had shown up at the port.

On May 15, Benin authorized the first ship to carry Nigerian oil at the Sèmè platform in a temporary and provisional manner.

Benin demands the restoration of the border and claims that regular pipeline operations necessitate a suitable framework for state-to-state relationships.