Benin – pipeline from Niger: oil exports in decline?

2024-05-07 06:11:00

Between Benin and Niger, the strain is growing once more with the choice of the Beninese authorities to dam the cargo of crude oil from Niger from the port of Sèmè Podji.

How far will Benin and Niger go within the superior place that has been in opposition to them for the reason that coup of July 26, 2023? In line with data from Radio France Internationalethe Beninese authorities has determined to ban entry to its waters to boats carrying crude oil transported from Niger through pipeline.

The choice seems like a retaliatory measure from the Beninese facet in opposition to Niger. The truth is, the border closure determined by ECOWAS after final 12 months’s coup, though eliminated, remains to be not efficient on the Niger facet.

Sturdy relationships

A insecurity in Benin is the explanation for Niger’s non-attraction after the coup d’état in opposition to President Mohamed Bazoum. Benin supported all of the measures determined by ECOWAS, together with the specter of navy intervention to revive the deposed president. It’s on this tense context that the Nigerien junta claimed the unconfirmed presence of international arsenals and battle personnel, unilaterally repudiate the navy cooperation settlement on 12 September 2023 EDS The 2 neighbors have been linked within the combat in opposition to terrorism for lower than two years.

Because the state of affairs unfolds in keeping with ECOWAS steering, Nevertheless, Benin has revised its place, by authorizing the importation of products destined for Niger by way of the port of Cotonou, for instance, and subsequently opening its border with the northern neighbor, from 28 February 2024.

Settlement for the carriage of crude oil

If Niger maintains the blockade, it has nonetheless taken a number of actions following the traditional implementation of its bilateral settlement with Benin to move its crude oil by pipeline. At first of March, a delegation from Niger customs due to this fact he made a mission to Benin agree with the Beninese social gathering on the fiscal points of the partnership. Nevertheless, the official launch of the export of crude oil by way of the Sèmè Podji oil platform didn’t happen regardless of the media announcement of thethe arrival of the primary drop of black gold on April 21 final on the terminal station of the pipeline of virtually 2000 km together with greater than 600km on the territory of Venice. This may even be one other speculation that justifies the choice of the Beninese authorities to dam the export of Niger oil.

Additionally learn: Mohamed Bazoum to Patrice Talon: “The oil of Niger is the oil of Benin”