Deconstructing China’s Interest in the Niger-Benin Rapprochement – The Diplomat

Niger’s relations with its neighbor Benin have been strained since a July 2023 coup in Niger, followed by border closures. Despite incurring huge losses, landlocked Niger was reluctant to open its border with Benin, citing security reasons. Last month, China sent foreign and energy ministry officials, along with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) executives, to resolve the dispute…