Nearly two years after Niger’s military seized power and the border with Benin was shut, tensions over security, sovereignty and French influence have hardened into a stand-off throttling trade and paralysing ties between the west African neighbours.

Benin, which denies hosting foreign forces accused of destabilising Niger, claims it has made repeated overtures to ease the blockade, but efforts have failed despite mounting economic pain on both sides of the border.

“Those who are suffering are the people of both countries,” Nigerien haulier Ibrahim Abou Koura, who is based in Benin’s economic capital, Cotonou, said.

General Abdourahamane Tiani has repeatedly accused Benin of harbouring French military bases training jihadists to undermine Niger.

In May, he insisted the border would “remain closed”, saying the fight was not with Benin but with French troops he claims are operating from its soil.

The friction since the coup has taken a heavy toll on cross-border trade and travel between the two countries.

“Buses aren’t as full. There are not the same number of people,” said Abou Koura, in the deserted yard of his compound in Zongo, where he once stored goods bound for major Nigerien cities.

Still, transport workers in Cotonou say some movement persists, with the Niger River — a natural border — remaining a busy crossing despite the official closure.

“Goods pass and travellers cross the river to continue their journey by bus on the Niger side,” said Alassane Amidou, a resident of Malanville, a city in northeastern Benin.

But for trucks unable to cross by water, perilous detours through jihadist-infested zones in Burkina Faso have become the only option.

“The Niger-Benin corridor is currently the safest, most profitable and shortest route for transporters and businesses,” said Gamatie Mahamadou, secretary-general of a consortium of Nigerien truck driver unions, in Niamey.