Benin and Niger have expelled each other’s diplomatic staff, deepening an already strained relationship between the two West African neighbours and underscoring rising regional tensions.
The latest standoff began after Benin declared two officials from the Nigerien embassy in Cotonou, Illia Boukari and Balkissa Ibrahim, persona non grata. According to Radio France Internationale (RFI), the two officials departed Benin on Thursday, January 1, 2026, on a commercial flight operated by an African airline.
Niger responded swiftly with a reciprocal move, expelling Benin’s chargé d’affaires from Niamey. Beninese authorities confirmed that operations at their embassy in Niger are expected to cease on January 5, 2026, effectively suspending formal diplomatic activities between the two countries for now.
Relations between Benin and Niger have remained tense since Niger’s military coup in 2023, which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and triggered diplomatic fallout with several neighbouring states. Benin, like other countries in the region, has struggled to maintain stable engagement with Niamey under the current military-led government.
The expulsions also come against a backdrop of political unease in Benin. Nearly a month earlier, Beninese authorities announced they had foiled an attempted coup, accusing unnamed “nostalgic politicians” and alleged foreign backers of trying to destabilise the country. While officials have not directly linked the Niger dispute to the alleged plot, the timing has heightened sensitivity around national security and foreign influence.
No formal explanation has been publicly issued by either government detailing the specific grounds for the expulsions. However, RFI reports that the decisions were based on diplomatic reciprocity. Notably, the Beninese embassy in Niamey is said to operate primarily with civilian staff and does not include officials holding security roles comparable to those of the expelled Nigerien diplomats.
Analysts say the episode reflects the fragile state of diplomacy across West Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions, where military takeovers, coup attempts and diplomatic rifts have become more frequent since 2020.
Beyond high-level politics, the diplomatic freeze is expected to affect ordinary citizens. The suspension of embassy operations in Niamey could disrupt consular services, including visa processing and administrative assistance, highlighting how escalating political disputes are increasingly spilling over into everyday cross-border relations.
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