Africa: As Benin’s new president, Romuald Wadagni, continues his regional tour in Ouagadougou
Just after his inauguration, Beninese President Romuald Wadagni is touring West African capitals to meet his counterparts. After a stop in Abuja with Bola Tinubu and another in Niamey with General Abdourahamane Tiani, the Beninese Head of State lands his plane this Tuesday afternoon in Ouagadougou. He will be received there by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, a visit that promises to be decisive for bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.
Aged 49, the former Finance Minister of Benin took up residence at the presidency just one week ago, after winning the April 12 election with over 94% of the vote.
This trained economist, who spent a decade reforming the finances of his country, has wasted no time: he immediately set out to meet his peers in the sub-region to lay the foundations of his foreign policy.
The visit to Ouagadougou is the third stop on a marathon tour that has already taken him to Nigeria and Niger.
Discussions between the two heads of state are expected to cover several sensitive areas.
Security tops the list, of course, with the jihadist threat lurking along the northern borders of Benin and Burkina Faso two countries that share a similar vulnerability to armed groups.
Trade and economic development are also on the menu, as Benin is one of the main partners of Burkina Faso for imports via the port of Cotonou. The two men will likely also discuss energy cooperation and joint infrastructure projects.
This trip by the new Beninese president comes at a time when relations between West African states are being reshaped, with on one side the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which have turned their backs on ECOWAS, and on the other the states that have remained in the regional organization.
By coming to Ouagadougou, Romuald Wadagni shows that he intends to maintain close dialogue with his Burkinabe neighbor, regardless of institutional developments.
A gesture appreciated by Captain Traoré, who sees this visit as a mark of consideration and mutual respect.
Papa IBRAHIMA
