Major trading partner, Benin closes its border with Niger
The countries bordering Niger, members of ECOWAS, are already applying the sanctions decided on Sunday by the summit of heads of state of the regional institution. For example, Benin has closed its border with Niger, the gateway for all imports transiting through the port of Cotonou.
A tugboat maneuvers in the autonomous port of Cotonou, Benin, May 28, 2019 (illustration image). © Prosper Dagnitche / AFP
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With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
Benin closed its main border with Niger on Sunday, just after the summit. According to our information, all activities at the port of Cotonou concerning Niger are suspended. Several sources report that many trucks en route to Niamey, carrying containers and loaded bulk at the port of Cotonou, are currently blocked at the border on the Benin side. On the other hand, travelers are allowed to circulate report witnesses.
This Cotonou-Niamey corridor is 1060 kilometers long.
Niger, Benin's main port's partner, passes most of its imports through Cotonou. Once unloaded from the boats, they take the road to Niamey.
There are used vehicles, food, pharmaceuticals, gasoline and many other products. This corridor is the busiest in the region and statistics estimate that 1000 vehicles cross this border every day.
On an official visit to Benin last March, President Bazoum said that this corridor was vital for his country before adding that the port of Cotonou was also the port of Niger.
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- Niger
- Benin
- Trade and Commerce