Benin And Togo Punished After Open ECOWAS Border To Niger

Sanctions imposed on Niger by West Africa, ECOWAS, have badly hit Benin's economy. Togo, another Ecowas member moves to strengthen diplomatic ties with military led Niger. What are Ecowas leaders making of these developments? That and more is what we look at in this video.
Benin President Patrice Talon in a recent move called for relations to be swiftly re-established between Benin and Ecowas sanctioned neighboring country Niger. In his annual address to the nation before parliament, Talon expressed the "wish to see relations between Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso quickly re-established".
Sanctions imposed on Niger by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, have led to the closure of the border with Niger and have badly hit Benin's economy. Benin has seen a fall in revenues after the transport of goods to Niger via its ports was halted. Goods for Niger represent 80 percent of the transit volume at the port of Cotonou.
In a bid to alleviate economic challenges, Benin recently lifted the suspension on the transit of imported goods destined for Niger through the port of Cotonou in a move that follows five months of sanctions on the coup-hit country. However this does not mean that the Ecowas measures are completely lifted according to the commercial and marketing director of the autonomous port of Cotonou, the measures only apply to the operations of the port of Cotonou Benin.
On the sideline, Benin and Niger Both are also concerned about a giant oil pipeline that will allow Niger to sell its crude on the international market for the first time, via the Benin port of Seme. The export of Niger crude through the nearly 2,000-kilometre-long (1,200-mile) oil pipeline is due to begin in January.
Niger's leaders say the investment in the pipeline has allowed the country to increase oil production to 110,000 barrels per day, with an official target to increase to 200,000 barrels per day by 2026. Benin, for its part, hopes transit duties will help offset customs revenue lost due to the Ecowas sanctions on Niger. Stakeholders closely watch the evolving dynamics between Benin and Niger, recognizing the broader implications for regional stability and economic cooperation.
Meanwhile a recent visit of Niger's military president, General Abdourahamane Tiani, sanctioned by ECOWAS, to Togo for discussions with President Gnassingbé has added a layer of complexity to the diplomatic landscape in West Africa. The meeting aimed to "deepen bilateral cooperation in the areas of common interest," and notable outcomes included the decision to establish a Togolese embassy in Niger and discussions surrounding the "Togo-Burkina Faso-Niger" transit and transport corridor. This corridor is crucial for facilitating the movement of goods and people, enhancing economic activities, and promoting regional integration. The willingness of Togo and Niger to engage in dialogue on such initiatives reflects a shared interest in bolstering regional infrastructure and connectivity. This move suggests a diplomatic pragmatism aimed at fostering collaboration and cooperation in the region.
Following these developments, Ecowas leading country Nigeria in a recent move applied a blanket suspension on all university certificates coming from both countries Benin and Togo into Nigeria. This is as the government reportedly pursues an investigation into the alleged degree racketeering from Benin. However critics argue that the extension of the suspension to Togo, without concrete evidence of a similar racketeering report, suggests a broader geopolitical motive. The timing of these actions, coinciding with Benin Republic's decision to lift Ecowas sanctions and open its borders to Niger, as well as Togo's relations with Niger, adds complexity to the situation.
Some observers contend that the blanket suspension could be a strategic move to exert pressure on both Benin and Togo for their diplomatic engagements with Niger, a country that had faced Ecowas sanctions. By targeting the academic sector, Nigeria might be sending a message that its response extends beyond the alleged degree of racketeering and is linked to broader regional diplomatic considerations.