-
Niger Says Five Oil Workers Held in Benin in Spat Over Exports
Niger said five of its oil workers are being held in Benin, deepening a spat between the two African nations over the export of crude. The Nigerien nationals, who worked for the local affiliate of China National Petroleum Corp., were at Benin’s Sèmè Kpodji port to control the loading of crude for export, the ruling junta known as Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland, said in a statement late Saturday. “Niger intends to take all measures to obtain the unconditional release of its citizens taken hostage, defend its rights and preserve its vital interests,” it said in the statement. A Benin government ... (full story)