00:00Benin's new president, Rumi al-Dwadani, took office on Sunday, but beyond the ceremony itself,
00:05attention focused on signs of possible diplomatic thou with neighboring Niger.
00:10The presence of Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Lamin Zain at the inauguration in Kotonou
00:17marked a notable gesture after months of strained relationships between Benin and Guntalit Sahel states
00:24following a wave of coups in the region.
00:27With our neighboring countries, we will place particular emphasis on deepening regional cooperation.
00:34Benin will continue to act in favor of stability, dialogue and respect.
00:41The Sunday ceremony suggested a willingness on both sides to reopen communication,
00:47a security and economic pressure push neighboring countries towards renewed engagement.
00:53I believe this is a new path opening up.
00:56He has spoken precisely about taking our destiny into our own hands, diversifying our own strategies,
01:02and that really encourages us.
01:04And I believe that people of these countries have always stood together.
01:08The most important thing is to work on strengthening our ties and to ensure that we can work together,
01:14even if it means that those who came from elsewhere must now leave us in peace.
01:20But then he succeeds Patrice Stallone after a landslide election win,
01:24and observers say his inauguration may signal a more conciliated original approach from Benin's new leader.
01:31A
01:32near the end of March
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