Sofitel has opened its newest luxury hotel, the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa, in Benin. The hotel blends French elegance with local Beninese culture, offering a unique and luxurious experience for both business and leisure travelers. With a prime location, luxurious amenities, and a focus on cultural immersion, the hotel is poised to become a leading destination in West Africa.
Tensions between Benin and Niger have escalated once again, with Benin arresting five Nigerien nationals and accusing them of illegal entry. Niger has retaliated by accusing Benin of arresting employees of its oil company who were present at the port to oversee the loading of an oil shipment. The conflict centers around the port of Seme, which is a key point of entry for Niger’s crude oil exports. The dispute has dragged on since May, when Benin obstructed the shipment of oil, citing Niamey’s refusal to reopen its borders for trade. The blockade was eventually lifted following intervention from China, but Niger has maintained border closures after a military coup last July. Benin has since reopened its side of the border, but it has urged Niger to reciprocate. Niger has accused Benin of hosting French troops on its territory, which it claims are attempting to destabilize the country.
