• Chad will open an embassy in Cotonou, replacing its consulate general.
•        Benin plans to establish a diplomatic mission in N’Djamena in return.
•        Both countries signed a visa exemption accord to ease mobility and trade.

Chad announced yesterday it will soon open an embassy in Cotonou, Benin, replacing its consulate general. The decision followed a meeting in New York between Chad’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul and his Beninese counterpart Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

According to a statement from Chad’s Foreign Ministry, Benin also expressed its intention to establish a diplomatic mission in N’Djamena. The two ministers used the occasion to sign a reciprocal visa exemption agreement to ease travel between the two countries. They also discussed economic and logistics cooperation.

This diplomatic step builds on recent bilateral talks, including negotiations over Chad’s use of the port of Cotonou. A recent visit by a delegation from the Chadian Shippers’ Council (COC-TCHAD) to Cotonou helped advance these discussions.

Although diplomatic relations between Chad and Benin are relatively new, these moves reflect a shared commitment to improving mobility and strengthening cooperation.

Two weeks ago, Chad announced the closure of several embassies, including in Israel, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Turkey, citing budgetary reasons. The government stressed, however, that the closures would not affect bilateral ties with those countries.