ECOWAS sanctions against Niger were lifted last Saturday during the extraordinary summit of the sub-regional organization in Abuja, Nigeria. For months, the border between Niger and Benin had been closed.
The new authorities in Niamey cite security reasons. mistrust persists, particularly towards France, still suspected of wanting to destabilize them. The CNSP's supporters want to in some way " punish Benin for having agreed to play the ECOWAS game ", explains a Sahel specialist.