Benin and Niger have expelled each other’s diplomats, deepening a standoff between the two West African neighbours and highlighting growing diplomatic strain in the region.
- Benin and Niger have both expelled each other’s diplomats, marking a significant diplomatic standoff.
- The tensions escalated following Benin declaring two Nigerien officials persona non grata, prompting a reciprocal measure from Niger.
- This diplomatic exchange occurs in a context of strained regional relations following Niger’s 2023 military coup.
- The political tensions involve issues of regional stability, mirrored by an attempted coup foiled in Benin.
The latest escalation followed Benin’s decision to declare two officials from the Nigerien embassy namely Illia Boukari and government official Balkissa Ibrahim persona non grata. According to RFI, the two officials left Cotonou on Thursday, 1 January 2026, aboard a commercial flight operated by an African airline.
Niger swiftly retaliated by expelling Benin’s chargé d’affaires, with Beninese embassy activities in Niamey set to cease on 5 January 2026.
Relations between the two countries have remained tense since Niger’s military junta seized power in 2023, overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum, a move that strained ties with several regional governments, including Benin.
The diplomatic fallout also comes amid lingering political uncertainty in Benin, nearly a month after authorities said they foiled a coup attempt.
At the time, the Beninese government accused unnamed “nostalgic Beninese politicians” and foreign backers of attempting to destabilise the country.
Reciprocity drives latest diplomatic retaliation
While no official statement has been issued detailing the grounds for the expulsions, RFI reports that the move was based on reciprocity.
The Beninese embassy in Niamey reportedly operates with civilian staff only and does not include officials holding security or government roles similar to those of the expelled Nigerien diplomats.
Diplomatic observers say the expulsions highlight the fragile state of relations across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea, where military takeovers, coup attempts, and political disputes have become increasingly common.
The reciprocity-based diplomatic retaliation has also become a frequent tool in the region’s diplomacy, reflecting unresolved political tensions and shifting power dynamics.
For citizens dependent on consular services, the suspension of embassy operations in Niamey could complicate visa processing and administrative matters, illustrating how high-level political disputes are increasingly affecting everyday cross-border engagement.
