DIPLOMACY
Diplomacy in Benin, Africa, and around the World: News, information, exclusives, everything you need to know about the diplomatic relations of Benin, Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cรดte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Congo, Madagascar, Chad, …
-
Leading Francophone chancelleries: Benin hands over the baton after a full term
Benin officially handed over the presidency of the International Conference of the Great Chancelleries of Francophone Countries, marking the end of a term unanimously appreciated by the participating delegations. This transition occurred at the conclusion of the twelfth conference of… -
BRICS: Moscow recalls the absence of a military assistance clause among member states
The Kremlin has sought to clear up any ambiguity. Through its spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, Russia reminded that joining the BRICS organization does not entail any obligation of military assistance in the event of an armed attack against one of its… -
AU Peace and Security Council: the European Union welcomes Benin’s commitment
The European Union ambassador to Benin, Stรฉphane Mund, extended his warm congratulations to the country following its election to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. For the European diplomat, this designation underscores Benin’s steadfast commitment to peace, stability, and… -
U.S. visas: The United States explains its new immigration policy toward Benin
The issue of U.S. visas has now become one of the most sensitive issues in BeninโUnited States relations. During a press briefing held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Ambassador Brian Shukan acknowledged the concerns… -
Lomรฉ, a no-go zone? Cancellation of a major ECOWAS summit that was to be held in Togo
The gap is widening more and more within ECOWAS among its member states. A summit of the subregional institution, intended to mark its fiftieth anniversary, and which was to be held in Togo, in Lomรฉ, the capital, has been canceled.… -
At the end of his mission in Benin, American Ambassador Brian Shukan takes stock of his tenure and bids farewell.
At the end of his term after nearly four years at the helm of the U.S. representation in Cotonou, the United States Ambassador to Benin, Brian Shukan, met with the press on February 10, 2026. The occasion for the diplomat… -
Security cooperation: the Nigerian army detachment withdraws from Togbin
Dispatched to Benin following the December 7, 2025 attempted coup d’รtat, the Nigerian army detachment engaged in the security cooperation between the two countries has officially completed its mission. The troops left the Togbin barracks, where they had been stationed… -
Accusations of destabilizing Niger: Benin denounces a diversionary maneuver.
The Benin government has spoken out after accusations by General Abdourahamane Tiani, president of the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP), who attributes a presumed role in attempts to destabilize Niger to Benin. Such remarks are brushed… -
Turkey: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stumbles during an official ceremony (video)
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu briefly stumbled during an official ceremony in Turkey this Tuesday, before resuming the course of his state visit without incident. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the subject of a minor incident on Tuesday during the… -
Donald Trump: “I won’t use force to acquire Greenland”
From the Davos forum, the U.S. President Donald Trump said he did not envisage any military action to take control of Greenland, while recalling the United States’ major strategic interest in this Danish autonomous territory. The U.S. President Donald Trump… -
BeninโIndia: Olushegun Bakari receives the new ambassador’s letters of credence
Relations between Benin and India are taking a new step forward. Appointed in October 2025, His Excellency Abhishek Singh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Republic of Benin, officially began his mission on Wednesday, January… -
In Burkina Faso, will Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba be extradited soon? Ibrahim Traorรฉ responds.
The question of the extradition of former Burkinabe president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is resurfacing in the public debate. Following another attempt to destabilize attributed to the former head of state, the current president of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traorรฉ, spoke… -
Donald Trump reaffirms his desire to acquire Greenland
This statement comes a few days before his planned speech in the state of New Hampshire, where he intends to detail his geopolitical vision further.In a recent post, Trump emphasized that Greenland, which is administratively dependent on Denmark, represents a… -
United States: former Ghanaian Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta arrested by immigration services.
The former Ghanaian Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, aged 66, was detained by the U.S. immigration authorities on January 7, 2026, while he was on U.S. soil, his lawyers and several international media outlets confirmed. Ken Ofori-Atta, who led Ghana’s… -
Trump announces the United States’ withdrawal from 66 international organizations
U.S. President Donald Trump signed, on January 7, 2026, a presidential decree ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations, many of which are affiliated with the United Nations and multilateral institutions. This decision, taken in the name… -
The United States and South Africa agree on the Afrikaners’ welcome program.
Washington and Pretoria have reached a discreet compromise to continue pursuing a controversial U.S. program to admit South African Afrikaners as refugees, despite persistent disagreements between the two capitals. The agreement rests on a series of diplomatic exchanges held in… -
Visa: The United States expands its restrictions to five new African countries.
The U.S. authorities have expanded, since January 1, 2026, their restrictive measures against several African countries as part of their immigration policy. Among the newly targeted nations are the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Botswana, according to official… -
Cooperation: Chad opens its embassy in Cotonou
Chad is strengthening its diplomatic presence in West Africa with the official opening of its embassy in Benin. Located in the Haie-Vive district in Cotonou, the new mission also covers Togo, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, thereby expanding Chad’s diplomatic… -
Venezuela: Switzerland freezes Nicolรกs Maduro’s assets after his arrest
Bern announced the immediate freezing of all assets held in Switzerland linked to former Venezuelan president Nicolรกs Maduro and to his close associates, following his arrest and transfer to the United States for trial there. The Swiss government announced, on… -
BeninโNiger: the crisis is taking on a new dimension
The already fragile relations between Niger and Benin enter a new episode of tension. The mutual expulsions of diplomatic staff, followed by the announcement of the suspension of activities at the Benin Embassy in Niamey, signal a diplomatic escalation against… -
Airspace violation: Nigeria issues an official apology to Burkina Faso
Nigeria officially apologized to Burkina Faso following the violation of Burkinabรจ airspace by a Nigerian aircraft. This diplomatic step was conducted at the highest level by the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Youssouf Maitama Tuggar, who was received in audience… -
Algeria: moving to criminalize French colonialism with a national law
The Algerian Parliament is preparing to examine a historic bill aiming to criminalize French colonialism. This text, scheduled to be debated in plenary session on 20, 21 and 24 December 2025, seeks to legally qualify the crimes committed during the… -
ECOWAS: a counterterrorism brigade operational by the end of 2026
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announces the establishment of a regional counterterrorism brigade that is expected to be fully operational before the end of 2026. This decision aims to strengthen the regionโs collective capacity to address the… -
Failed coup attempt: Talon receives Nigerian military at the Marina Palace
President Patrice Talon held an audience on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, with the delegation of Nigerian military personnel deployed to Benin following the December 7 coup attempt. This meeting at the Palais de la Marina expresses the Nationโs official gratitude… -
In China, Macron urges preserving transatlantic unity against Russia
On an official visit to China, Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the need to maintain transatlantic unity and to relentlessly continue support for Ukraine. The head of state called for continuing to put pressure on Moscow while pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at… -
Soybean grain: the government kicks off the 2025โ2026 campaign and confirms free pricing
The Beninese government has set the marketing framework for soybean grain for the 2025โ2026 season. According to the ministers in charge of Industry and Commerce and of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the season officially opens on Friday, December 5, 2025,… -
Diplomacy: a French parliamentary delegation is staying in Benin
A French parliamentary delegation, led by Christian Baptiste, deputy for Guadeloupe and president of the FranceโBenin friendship group at the National Assembly, was received on Tuesday, 2 December 2025 by Louis Gbรจhounou Vlavonou, president of the Beninese Parliament. This visit… -
Diplomacy: meeting between Diomaye Faye and Mariam Chabi Talata in Dakar
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye received Mariam Chabi Talata Zimรฉ Yarou on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The ViceโPresident of Benin, also Grand Chancellor of the national orders and president of the Conference of Francophone Chancellors, was on a mission in… -
Shegun Bakari represents Benin at the 7th AU-EU summit in Luanda
Beninโs Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shegun Bakari, is staying in Luanda where he is taking part in the 7th joint summit between the African Union and the European Union. Beninโs top diplomat is leading the national delegation to this high-level… -
Summit in Algeria on colonialism: toward historic reparations in Africa
Algeria is preparing to host a major international conference on crimes of colonialism in Africa from 30 November to 1 December 2025. Held in Algiers, the event will bring together ministers, jurists, historians, academics and experts to discuss historical injustices…