Foreign relations of Benin

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After seizing power in the 1972 coup d'état, Major Mathieu Kérékou declared the Republic of Dahomey a Marxist-Leninist state and sought financial support from communist governments in Eastern Europe and Asia. To distance the modern state from its colonial past, the country became the People's Republic of Benin in 1975. However, Benin dropped the socialist ideology in 1989 following pressure from creditors and domestic unrest related to economic hardship.

In recent years Benin has strengthened ties with France, the former colonial power, as well as the United States and the main international lending institutions. Benin has also adopted a mediating role in the political crises in Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, and Togo and provided a contribution to the United Nations force in Haiti, all of which were indications of the country's growing confidence in the international community. Some of the allies of Benin are France, India, US, UK, Netherlands, Ghana, and China.

Bilateral relations[]

Sovereign state Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia 2 August 2007
 Azerbaijan 14 October 1999[1] Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries began in October 1999.
 Burkina Faso

In September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005 ICJ decision.

 China See Benin–China relations
  • Benin has an embassy in Beijing.
  • China has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Cuba
  • Benin has an embassy in Havana.
  • Cuba has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Denmark See Benin–Denmark relations
  • Denmark is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
 France 1960
  • Benin has an embassy in Paris.[2]
  • France has an embassy in Cotonou.[3]
 Haiti See Benin–Haiti relations

The two countries share an extensive cultural history by way of the Atlantic slave trade and the resulting importing of Vodou as a religious force in Haitian society.

 India See Benin–India relations
  • India is accredited to Benin from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Israel
  • Israel is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
 Japan
  • Benin has an embassy in Tokyo.
  • Japan has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Kenya See Benin–Kenya relations
  • Kenya is accredited to Benin from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Kuwait
  • Benin has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Mexico 1975
  • Benin is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[4]
  • Mexico is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.[5]
 Morocco
  • Benin has an embassy in Rabat.
  • Morocco has na embassy in Cotonou.
 Niger

Despite the occasional recurrence of a border conflict over Lete Island in the Niger River, Benin and Niger, both former French subjects of French West Africa, relations are close. Niger relies on the port at Cotonou, and to a lesser degree Lomé (Togo), and Port Harcourt (Nigeria), as its main route to overseas trade. Niger operates a Nigerien Ports Authority station, as well as customs and tax offices in a section of Cotonou's port, so that imports and exports can be directly transported between Gaya and the port. French Uranium mines in Arlit, which produce Niger's largest exports by value, travel through this port to France or the world market.

 Nigeria

Benin enjoys stable relations with Nigeria, the main regional power. In fact, Benin is dependent on Nigeria for most of its export. Its economy is primarily based on informal trade with Nigeria.

  • Benin has an embassy in Abuja.
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Qatar
  • Benin has an embassy in Doha.
  • Qatar has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Russia See Benin–Russia relations
  • Benin has an embassy in Moscow.
  • Russia has an embassy in Cotonou.
 South Korea 1 August 1961

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Benin was on August 1, 1961.[6]

 Spain See Benin–Spain relations
  • Benin is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Turkey March 26, 2001[7]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Cotonou.[8]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 142 million USD in 2019.[8]
  • There are direct flights from Istanbul to Cotonou since 2014.[8]
 United States See Benin–United States relations

The two nations have had an excellent history of relations in the years since Benin embraced democracy. The U.S. Government continues to assist Benin with the improvement of living standards that are key to the ultimate success of Benin's experiment with democratic government and economic liberalization, and are consistent with U.S. values and national interest in reducing poverty and promoting growth. The bulk of the U.S. effort in support of consolidating democracy in Benin is focused on long-term human resource development through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs.[9]

  • Benin has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
  • United States has an embassy in Cotonou.

Transnational Issues[]

Disputes[]

In September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005 ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River.

Refugees[]

Refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007)

Illicit Drugs[]

Transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008)

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ "Benin". mfa.gov.az. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  2. ^ Embassy and Consulate-General of Benin in Paris
  3. ^ Embassy of France in Cotonou
  4. ^ Embassy of Benin in the United States
  5. ^ Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria
  6. ^ http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070804/1_24500.jsp?menu=m_30_50
  7. ^ "Relations between Turkey and Benin". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  8. ^ a b c "Relations between Turkey and Benin".
  9. ^ "Background Note: Benin". U.S. Department of State (June 2008). Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

External links[]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook website https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/.

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