In Niger, there have mixed reactions to the standoff between Niamey and Cotonou, following the Beninese authorities’ decision to ban the export of Nigerian crude oil to the port of Sémé Kpodji.

Over the weekend, Nigerienne Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine held a press conference where he reacted to  Benin’s blockade of Niger’s oil exports.

According to Prime Minister Zeine , the blockade  imposed in response to Niger’s border closure, violates trade agreements between the two countries and with Niger’s Chinese partners.

The debate has now spilled into the streets of Niamey, the capital of Niger.

Abdullahi Hassan  has more in the following report