In a sharp escalation of a long-running diplomatic feud, the neighbouring West African nations of Benin and Niger have engaged in reciprocal expulsions of each other's diplomatic personnel. The tit-for-tat moves, confirmed by sources in both capitals on Sunday, underscore the deep frost in relations that has settled over the region since a military junta seized power in Niger.
A Cycle of Expulsions and Accusations
According to a Beninese diplomatic source, the government in Cotonou recently expelled an intelligence agent and a police officer stationed at the Nigerien embassy. The source did not provide a specific reason for this action. Niger swiftly retaliated. In a diplomatic note dated Thursday, January 2, 2025, the junta in Niamey declared the first counsellor of Benin's embassy "persona non grata" and gave him 48 hours to leave the country, framing it as a reciprocal measure.
Relations between the two countries have been severely strained since the military takeover in Niger in July 2023. The Nigerien regime, led by the junta, has repeatedly accused its pro-Western neighbour, Benin, of seeking to destabilise it—a charge Cotonou has consistently denied.
The Failed Coup That Deepened the Rift
The diplomatic crisis plunged to new depths following events in early December. On December 7, 2025, the Beninese army, with support from neighbouring Nigeria and France, successfully foiled a coup attempt. While Cotonou has not officially pointed fingers at Niger, strong suspicions linger in Benin about Niamey's potential involvement or support for the plotters.
On the day of the attempted putsch, a flood of fake news supporting the coup leaders circulated on social media across the Sahel region, further muddying the waters and inflaming tensions.
A Region Divided: AES vs. ECOWAS
The expulsions highlight the broader geopolitical divide cleaving West Africa. Niger, alongside its junta-led neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali, has formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation born after all three states exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This trio has moved politically closer to Moscow, championing an anti-imperialist and pro-sovereignty vision. They have been bitterly critical of West African coastal nations like Benin and Ivory Coast, which have maintained closer ties with former colonial power France and the broader Western bloc.
The situation remains volatile, with the diplomatic expulsions serving as the latest flashpoint in a region grappling with instability, competing alliances, and the lingering threat of further military interventions.
