African state denies involvement in ‘Western-backed terror plot’

Benin’s foreign minister says the accusation by Niger is unfounded

Benin has rejected claims that it is cooperating with Western powers to harbor terrorists as part of efforts to destabilize neighboring Niger and the wider Sahel region, which has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency for more than a decade.

French broadcaster RFI on Monday quoted Beninese Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari as dismissing the accusations made by Niger’s interim president...