Benin has prevented neighboring Niger from using its port to export its first crude oil, as a border dispute rages between the two nations.
According to the BBC, President Patrice Talon’s government is demanding that landlocked Niger reopens its side of the border if it wants to use Benin’s ports.
Mr Talon accused Niger of treating its neighbor like an “enemy”.
Benin and other West African nations imposed sanctions on Niger, including border closures, in a bid to force the military to hand back power to the elected government.
Although the sanctions by the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS were eased in February, and were expected to normalize trade relations with Niger, Niger refused to open its land border for goods coming from Benin. Mr Talon has accused Niger of not cooperating to restore ties.
