Benin has blocked the export of a shipment of crude oil from Niger after refusing to open its land border, escalating political tensions between the two countries.

The export of the first crude oil shipment from Niger was hampered as it arrived at the port of Benin, as the Beninese authorities refused to open its land borders to goods from Niger.

According to a port official, at least three ships have been prevented from carrying the first shipment of crude oil from entering the port, in a move that could affect trade relations between the two countries.

For his part, Benin President Patrice Talon stressed the need for cooperation between the two countries, noting that Benin is ready to cooperate and facilitate transport operations, while accusing Niger of not cooperating and not allowing trucks coming from Benin to cross into its territory.

These obstacles are expected to be an obstacle to Niger’s plans to export crude oil, especially with its announcement of its intention to export its first shipment this month, as part of a loan with China National Petroleum Corporation worth $ 400 million.

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Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zein, criticized Benin’s decision to prevent the export of Nigerien oil through its port, saying it constituted a violation of bilateral agreements between the two countries.

Speaking at a news conference in Niamey, Zain said the decision was putting thousands of jobs and tax revenues at risk.

Zein pointed out that security reasons are behind keeping the common border with Benin closed, pointing to the presence of French bases in Benin that may harbor terrorists targeting Niger’s stability.

For his part, Beninese President Patrice Talon called on Niger to reopen borders and normalize bilateral relations, stressing that this depends on Niamey’s desire to export oil through the port of Simi Kabodji.

It should be noted that these differences come in the context of the restoration of relations between the two countries after a period of political turmoil in the region, as Benin reopened its border with Niger after announcing the end of sanctions imposed by ECOWAS over the military coup in Niger.

But Niger has kept its borders closed and has previously accused Benin of "seeking to undermine its security" in cooperation with France, which is contesting its last African colony after the rise of national liberation movements.

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Nigerian authorities confirmed on Friday that part of a pipeline transporting crude oil to Benin had been sabotaged.

The public channel “Tele Sahel” reported that “individuals with bad intentions sabotaged part of the pipeline in the Tusker area (central east) on the night of June 16 to 17.”

Zinder District Governor, Colonel Issoufou Labo, inspected the site of the attack and said: “We have collected information and evidence about the suspected perpetrators, and all those who participated in this act will be arrested and tried according to their terrorist behavior.”

“Tele Sahel” channel added that this “act of sabotage” led to damage to the pipeline and caused the leakage of crude oil.

The pipeline extends about 2,000 kilometers to transport crude oil from oil wells in Agadim (northeastern Niger) to the port of Simi Kaboudji in Benin.

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