Foreign relations of Benin

After seizing power in the 1972 coup d'état, Major Mathieu Kérékou declared the People's Republic of Benin 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.

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Foreign relations
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Nations with which Benin has diplomatic relations.

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
 Afghanistan 5 December 1984 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 December 1984[1]
 Armenia2 August 2007Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 August 2007[2]
 Austria 1 December 1964 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 December 1964[3]
 Azerbaijan 14 October 1999 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 October 1999[4]
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 11 September 2009 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 September 2009[5]
 Botswana 21 February 2007 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 February 2007[6]
 Brazil1961
  • Benin does not have an accreditation for Brazil.
  • Brazil has an embassy in Cotonou.
 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.

 Cameroon 31 July 1976 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 July 1976[7]
 Canada 27 April 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 April 1962[8]
 Chad 18 October 1976 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 October 1976[9]
 Chile 25 August 2010 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 August 2010[10]
 China12 November 1964See Benin–China relations

The People's Republic of China and the Republic of Benin established diplomatic relations on November 12, 1964, yet in January 1966, Benin unilaterally severed the relations with China and the April that year to "resume relations" with Taiwan. On December 29, 1972, the Mathieu Kérékon Government restored the relations with China and then the relations saw a favorable development afterwards.[11]

  • Benin has an embassy in Beijing.
  • China has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Colombia 30 November 1988 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 November 1988[12]
 Costa Rica 28 June 1994 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 June 1994[13]
 Croatia 26 March 2001 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 March 2001[14]
 Cuba1 February 1974Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 February 1974[15]
  • Benin has an embassy in Havana.
  • Cuba has an embassy in Cotonou.
 DenmarkSee Benin–Denmark relations
  • Denmark is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
 Ecuador 7 October 2019 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 October 2019[16]
 Ethiopia
  • Benin has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
  • Ethiopia is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Fiji 16 September 2011 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 September 2011[17]
 France2 August 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 August 1960[18]
  • Benin has an embassy in Paris.[19]
  • France has an embassy in Cotonou.[20]
 Georgia 25 September 2014 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 September 2014[21]
 Ghana
  • Benin does not have an accreditation for Ghana.
  • Ghana has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Guatemala 14 November 1995 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 November 1995[22]
 HaitiSee 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.

  • Benin does not have an accreditation to Haiti.
  • Haiti is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Paris, France.
 Iceland 23 February 2005 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 February 2005[23]
 India25 June 1963See Benin–India relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 June 1963[24]

  • 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.
 Kazakhstan 13 September 2011 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 September 2011[25]
 KenyaSee Benin–Kenya relations
  • Benin is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Kenya's is accredited to Benin from its high commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Kuwait24 December 1987Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 December 1987[26]
  • Benin has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Malta 25 March 2009 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 March 2009[27]
 Mauritius 24 March 2003 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 March 2003[28]
 Mexico30 October 1975Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 October 1975[29]
  • Benin is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[30]
  • Mexico is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria and has an honorary consulate in Cotonou.[31]
 Moldova 24 January 2018 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 January 2018[32]
 Mongolia 30 March 1977 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 March 1977[33]
 Montenegro 15 September 2011 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 September 2011[34]
 Morocco
  • Benin has an embassy in Rabat.
  • Morocco has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Myanmar 2 July 2019 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 July 2019[35]
 Namibia 13 August 1990 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 1990[36]
   Nepal 23 January 2018 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 January 2018[37]
 Nicaragua 5 June 1984 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 June 1984[38]
 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 and a consulate-general in Lagos.
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Oman 16 November 2018 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 November 2018[39]
 Peru 22 November 2017 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 November 2017[40]
 Portugal 25 July 1977 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 July 1977[41]
 Qatar2 November 1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 November 1999[42]
  • Benin has an embassy in Doha.
  • Qatar has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Russia4 June 1962See Benin–Russia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 June 1962[43]

 Saint Kitts and Nevis 2 June 2022 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 June 2022[44]
 Serbia 3 July 1962 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 July 1962[45]
 Seychelles 1 March 1988 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 March 1988[46]
 South Africa19 May 1994Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 May 1994[47]
  • Benin does not have an accreditation for South Africa.
  • South Africa has an embassy in Cotonou.
 South Korea1 August 1961Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1961[48]
  • Benin does not have an accreditation for South Korea.
  • South Korea is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Accra, Ghana.
 South Sudan 29 January 2013 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 January 2013[49]
 Spain25 March 1966Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 March 1966[50]
  • Benin is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France.
  • Spain is accredited to Benin from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.
 Tajikistan 8 July 2011 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 July 2011[51]
 TurkeyBenin–Turkey relations
  • Turkey has an embassy in Cotonou.[52]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 142 million USD in 2019.[52]
  • There are direct flights from Istanbul to Cotonou since 2014.[52]
 Ukraine 10 April 1992 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1992[53]
 United Arab Emirates 5 January 1986 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 January 1986[54]
 United States1 August 1960See Benin–United States relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1960[55]

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.[56]

  • Benin has an embassy in Washington, D.C.
  • United States has an embassy in Cotonou.
 Uruguay 14 February 2008 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 February 2008[57]
 Venezuela20 June 1991Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 June 1991[58]
  • Benin does not have an accreditation for Venezuela.
  • Venezuela 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. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Afghanistan as of 5 Dec. 1984". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  2. "Bilateral Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  3. Michael Th Neugebauer (1992). Die österreichisch-afrikanischen Beziehungen seit 1955 Wirtschaft, Politik, Entwicklungspolitik, Kultur (in German). Böhlau. p. 110.
  4. "The Republic of Benin". Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  5. "Diplomatic Relations Between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Benin as of 11 Sept. 2009". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  6. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Botswana as of 21 Feb. 2007". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  7. Marchés tropicaux et méditerranéens Volume 32 (in French). 1976. p. 2123.
  8. "A Guide to Canadian Diplomatic Relations 1925-2019". Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  9. Translations on Sub-Saharan Africa Issues 1684-1695. United States. Joint Publications Research Service. 1976. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  10. "Chile establece Relaciones Diplomáticas con la República de Benín". Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  11. "Benin". china.org.cn. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  12. "Diplomatic Relations Between Colombia and Benin as of 30 Nov. 1988". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  13. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Costa Rica as of 28 June 1994". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  14. "Diplomatic relations between Benin and Croatia as of 26 Mar. 2001". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  15. "En los fondos documentales de Archivo MINREX atesoramos Comunicado Conjunto para el establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas entre Cuba y Dahomey, hoy República de Benin, firmado en Nueva York el 1/2/1974". CG Documental MINREX. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  16. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Ecuador as of 7 Oct. 2019". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  17. "Diplomatic Relations between Fiji and Benin as of 16 Sept. 2011". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  18. "LISTE CHRONOLOGIQUE DES AMBASSADEURS, ENVOYÉS EXTRAORDINAIRES, MINISTRES PLÉNIPOTENTIAIRES ET CHARGÉS D'AFFAIRES DE FRANCE À L'ÉTRANGER DEPUIS 1945" (PDF). diplomatie.gouv.fr. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  19. Embassy and Consulate-General of Benin in Paris
  20. Embassy of France in Cotonou
  21. "Diplomatic Relations between Benin and Georgia as of 25 Sept. 2014". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  22. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Guatemala as of 14 Nov. 1995". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  23. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Iceland as of 23 Feb. 2005". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  24. Daily Report, Foreign Radio Broadcasts Issues 125-126. United States. Central Intelligence Agency. 1963. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  25. "Diplomatic Relations between Kazakhstan and Benin as of 13 Sept. 2011". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  26. Marchés tropicaux et méditerranéens Issues 2147-2172 (in French). Rene Moreaux et Cie. 1987. p. 27.
  27. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Malta as of 25 Mar. 2009". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  28. "Diplomatic Relations between Benin and Mauritius as of 24 Mar. 2003". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  29. "Hoy celebramos el 47 aniversario de relaciones diplomáticas entre México y Benín". Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores de México (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  30. Embassy of Benin in the United States
  31. Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria
  32. "Diplomatic relations between Benin and Republic of Moldova as of 24 January 2018". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  33. "Diplomatic relations between Benin and Mongolia as of 30 Mar. 1977". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  34. "Diplomatic Relations between Montenegro and Benin as of 15 Sept. 2011". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  35. "Diplomatic Relations Between Republic of Benin and Republic of the Union of Myanmar as of 2 July 2019". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  36. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Namibia as of 13 Aug. 1990". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  37. "Press Release on Nepal and Benin established formal bilateral diplomatic relations". mofa.gov.np. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  38. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Nicaragua as of 5 June 1984". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  39. "Diplomatic Relations Between Oman and Republic of Benin as of 16 Nov. 2018". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  40. "Establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas entre Perú y Benín". gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  41. "Diplomatic relations between Benin and Portugal as of 25 July 1977". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  42. "العلاقات الثنائية". mofa.gov.qa (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  43. "Today marks 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Benin!". MFA Russia. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  44. "Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Benin establish diplomatic relations". timescaribbeanonline.com. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  45. "Benin: Bilateral agreements". Republic of Serbia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  46. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Seychelles as of 1 Mar. 1988". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  47. "Bilateral Relations (country profiles listed alphabetically)". dirco.gov.za. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  48. "Overview". Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Korea. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  49. "Benin, South Sudan Sign Bilateral Accord > Gurtong Trust > Editorial". gurtong.net. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  50. "Benín: RELACIONES BILATERALES CON ESPAÑA" (PDF). OFICINA DE INFORMACIÓN DIPLOMÁTICA FICHA PAÍS (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  51. "Diplomatic Relations between Benin and Tajikistan as of 8 July 2011". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  52. "Relations between Turkey and Benin".
  53. "Bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Benin". Embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  54. Afrique contemporaine Issues 137-144 (in French). Documentation française. 1986. p. 66.
  55. "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Benin (Dahomey)". history.state.gov. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  56. "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.
  57. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Uruguay as of 14 Feb. 2008". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  58. "Diplomatic Relations Between Benin and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of ) as of 20 June 1991". United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 26 April 2023.

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