Benin’s Patrice Talon to visit Algeria to boost ties

Patrice Talon, the President of Benin, is expected in Algeria for a State visit in view of boosting ties with the North African country, the Algerian Foreign ministry has announced.

The ministry said the invitation came from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. “The visit aims to open a new era of bilateral relations between the two countries,” the ministry said.

“President Talon’s visit comes in the context of a diplomatic tour he is undertaking, mandated by President Tebboune, to strengthen ties between Algeria and Benin. This move reflects the importance attached by both leaders to deepening relations between the two nations,” the department added.

The ministry did not provide details on the date of the future visit. The trip also comes in the wake of a visit to Benin by Algeria’s top diplomat Bakari Ajadi last week, in the backdrop of the ongoing crisis in neighboring Niger.

Niger is currently ruled by a junta that toppled on July 26 elected President Mohamed Bazoum, and the regional organization, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) including Benin, has demanded the restoration of the ousted leader. The bloc has also prepared a military contingent to intervene in Niger should the diplomatic approach fail.