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Niger halts oil pipeline exports to China over Benin spat

Niger has shut off oil exports to China by means of its pipeline to Benin's coast, Oil Minister Mahamane Moustapha Barke Bako said on Thursday, deepening a. standoff between the West African neighbours.

At the Agadem oilfield in eastern Niger, the minister. manage the padlocking of an area of the 2,000-km (1,243-mile). pipeline through which exports to China were implied to flow under. a memorandum of understanding with state-owned oil giant China. National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) worth $400 million.

Cross-border relations have been strained since Benin. obstructed unrefined exports via its port from landlocked Niger in May. and required the junta resume its border to Benin's goods and. normalise relations.

Previously in June, authorities in Benin apprehended 5 Niger. nationals for supposedly entering Benin's Seme-Kpodji pipeline. terminal under false pretences - charges Niger has turned down,. insisting the group existed to supervise the loading of crude. in line with an agreement with Benin.

We can't just sit back while our oil is stolen by other. people, because we're not there where it's filled, the minister. informed workers, describing the decision to stop flows, according. to a broadcast on state television.

The stress return to a July 2023 coup in Niger, which led. local bloc ECOWAS to enforce strict sanctions for more than. 6 months.

Trade flows in the region were anticipated to normalise after. the bloc lifted sanctions, however Niger has kept its borders closed. to items from Benin.

(source: Reuters)