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Niger junta consents to talk with repair ties with Benin

Niger's junta has accepted talks with Benin's federal government, led by two former Benin presidents, to help bring back relations after a coup in Niger last year caused the border closing and a Chinabacked oil pipeline shutting down.

Niger accepted the talks after a meeting between its military leader General Abdourahamane Tiani and Benin's former presidents Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo on June 24, according to a statement by Niger's government on Tuesday.

Authorities in both countries told on Wednesday that no date had actually been decided for the conference.

A resolution might enable the resumption of oil flowing to China via the PetroChina -backed pipeline. Niger suspended oil exports through the 2,000-km (1,243-mile) pipeline to Benin's coast in mid-June as tensions over the border closure escalated.

The stress date to Niger's July 2023 coup, which led the regional bloc Economic Neighborhood of West African States to enforce sanctions on Niger for more than six months.

Relations in between Niger and its neighbours have actually been strained considering that, with Niger accusing Benin of hosting insurgents plotting to destabilise the Sahel country. Benin has actually denied the allegations.

The pipeline was screwed up in June by an armed Niger rebel group opposed to the junta, causing minor damage.

Tiani told the Beninese former presidents that he was available to a frank discussion and accepted a proposition from them to defuse tensions, according to Tuesday's declaration.

He accepted the concept of forming a commission consisted of agents from Niger's government, Benin's. federal government and the two checking out former Beninese heads of state,. the statement said.

The former leaders held a follow-up meeting with Benin's. president, Patrice Talon, on Monday, they said in a different. statement.

The president and the previous presidents agreed on the requirement. to reestablish discussion as concurred by all celebrations, it said.

(source: Reuters)