Since taking office on 24 May 2026, Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni has embarked on his maiden foreign tour, with stops in Niger and Burkina Faso. The diplomatic mission aims to restore and strengthen relations between Benin and the Alliance of Sahel States, following years of strained ties.
This visit marks a historic moment: President Wadagni is the first Beninese head of state to travel to Niger since the country’s political transition in July 2023, when General Abdourahamane Tiani assumed power after the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum.
While previous administrations had initiated mediation efforts—including a working visit by a Nigerien delegation to Cotonou in July 2024—no significant progress had been made since then. The absence of high-level dialogue has kept the borders between Benin and Niger closed, severely impacting cross-border trade, economic stability, and the free movement of people.
Before heading to the Sahel, President Wadagni made his first official international trip to Nigeria, Benin’s largest trading partner and a key regional ally, on 1 June 2026.