Benin–Burkina Faso border
The Benin–Burkina Faso border is 386 km (240 m) in length and runs from the tripoint with Togo in the southwest to the tripoint with Niger in the northeast.[1]
Description
The border starts at the Togolese tripoint, then proceeds briefly overland in a north-western direction, before reaching the
History
During the second half of the 19th century France began creating small trading settlements on the West African coast. In 1851 a treaty of friendship was signed between France and the
As the movement for decolonisation grew in the post-Second World War era, France gradually granted more political rights and representation for its African territories, culminating in the granting of broad internal autonomy to each colony in 1958 within the framework of the French Community.[5] Dahomey declared full independence on 1 August 1960, followed shortly thereafter by Upper Volta on 5 August, and their mutual frontier became an international boundary between two sovereign states.[4][2]
Parts of the border remained contested on the ground, with several incidents in the disputed areas of Koalou and Niorgou sparking tension in the 2000s. As a result, the two countries signed an agreement in May 2009 which created a small neutral zone in the area, pending a final decision on the matter by the International Court of Justice.[6][7]
In recent years the boundary region had been affected by the ongoing Islamist insurgency in the Sahel, predominantly on the Burkinabe side of the border. In May 2019 two French tourists exploring the Pendjari National Park were kidnapped and their Beninese guide killed.[8] At present third-party governments generally advise against travelling in the border region.[9]
Settlements near the border
Benin
Burkina Faso
- Momba
- Tanli
- Tanbarga
- Madjori
Border crossings
The main border crossing is at Porga.[10]
See also
References
- ^ CIA World Factbook - Benin, retrieved 23 November 2019
- ^ a b c d Brownlie, Ian (1979). African Boundaries: A Legal and Diplomatic Encyclopedia. Institute for International Affairs, Hurst and Co. pp. 202–211.
- ^ Ouédraogo, O.; Schmidt, M.; Thiombiano, A.; Hahn, K.; Guinko, S.; Zizka, G. (2011). "Magnoliophyta, Arly National Park, Tapoa, Burkina Faso". 7 (1): 85–100.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g International Boundary Study No. 97 – Benin-Burkina Faso Boundary (PDF), 1 April 1970, archived from the original on 1 October 2019, retrieved 23 November 2019
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- ^ Le Burkina et le Bénin déclarent Koualou-Kourou zone neutre, Jeune Afrique, 20 May 2009, retrieved 1 December 2019
- ^ Différend frontalier Burkina-Bénin : Kourou/Koalou déclarée zone neutre, Le Faso, 22 May 2009, retrieved 1 December 2019
- ^ Two French tourists kidnapped, local guide killed in Benin, France 24, 5 May 2019, retrieved 2 December 2019
- ^ British FCO Travel Advice - benin, retrieved 1 December 2019
- ^ Butler, Stuart (2019) Bradt Travel Guide - Benin, pgs. 44