The Republic of Benin and its Niger counterpart have in a tit-for-tat move expelled their diplomats.
The relationship with the two West African countries was said to have gone sour since a military junta gained power in Niamey, Niger Republic in July 2023.
The military regime in Niger has regularly accused its pro-Western neighbour of seeking to destabilise it, something Cotonou denies.
Bellnews reports that relations plunged still further after a foiled coup attempt in Benin in early December.
Cotonou has not specifically accused Niger, but suspicions remain about Niamey’s possible role in the failed coup.
Recent days saw Benin expel an intelligence agent and a police officer stationed at the Niger embassy in Cotonou, according to a Beninese diplomatic source, who did not specify a reason.
In retaliation, Niger, in a note dated Thursday, declared the first counsellor of Benin’s embassy in Niamey “persona non grata” and gave him 48 hours to leave the country, citing a reciprocal move.
Benin’s army foiled the December 7 coup attempt with support from neighbouring Nigeria, and France.
Niger is allied with Burkina Faso and Mali, its two neighbours likewise ruled by juntas. All three states have left the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to form a confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States, AES.