Benin's National Assembly President Calls for Dialogue with Niger and Burkina Faso

The 86th session of the executive committee and the 48th Conference of Presidents of the African Parliamentary Union (UPA) took place in Lomé from November 9 to 14, 2026. On the sidelines of these meetings, Joseph Fifamè Djogbénou, President of the Beninese National Assembly, addressed a message to Niger and Burkina Faso. He expressed hope for a return to peace, saying, "As long as the night of discord lasts, which I hope is temporary, the day of peace will eventually dawn."

Djogbénou's message comes as the border between Benin and Niger has been closed since 2023. In an effort to ease tensions, Benin's President Romuald Wadagni visited Niamey on June 2, 2026, as part of a Sahel tour that also included Burkina Faso, an ally of Niger within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). During this visit, Wadagni rekindled exchanges with President Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger.

Experts from Niger and Benin met in Cotonou on June 20 and 21 to discuss the reopening of the border. Djogbénou welcomed Burkina Faso's designation as head of the UPA's general secretariat. He emphasized the need for cooperation, stating that no country can tackle social, security, and migration challenges alone. He cited the example of European coastlines, where refouled Africans are not identified by nationality but as a collective group.

Djogbénou extended an invitation to the national assemblies of Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso to work together, alongside their governments, to address common challenges. He encouraged them to "look in the same direction" and pool their resources and energies. This call for cooperation aims to foster a united front against shared difficulties in the region.

The strained relations between Benin and Niger have had significant economic impacts. The closure of the border has disrupted trade and affected the livelihoods of people living in border communities. Djogbénou's appeal for dialogue is seen as a crucial step towards easing tensions and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The Beninese National Assembly President's statement was met with cautious optimism by analysts, who see it as a positive move towards restoring relations between the two countries. However, they also note that significant challenges remain, including issues related to security, trade, and migration.

Djogbénou's advocacy for cooperation and dialogue reflects a broader regional trend, with many leaders recognizing the need for collective action to address shared challenges. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching closely, hoping that Djogbénou's call for dialogue will help to ease tensions and pave the way for improved relations between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Key points

• Benin's National Assembly President Joseph Fifamè Djogbénou calls for dialogue with Niger and Burkina Faso to address shared challenges and ease tensions.