Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, the Ambassador of Afghanistan in Doha, held a diplomatic meeting with Bida Nouhoum Youssouf Abdurrahman, the Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to Afghanistan, as part of ongoing efforts to expand Afghanistan’s diplomatic outreach and strengthen ties with African nations.

According to diplomatic sources, the meeting focused on a range of issues, including the state of bilateral relations, the current political and economic situation in Benin, and potential avenues for cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development. Both ambassadors underscored the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding in fostering closer relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Shaheen highlighted Afghanistan’s interest in broadening its engagement with African states, emphasizing opportunities for South-South cooperation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration in areas such as agriculture, education, and capacity building. He noted that Afghanistan is keen to explore new markets and partnerships that could contribute to economic resilience and regional connectivity.

For his part, Ambassador Abdurrahman provided an overview of Benin’s political landscape and development priorities, expressing his country’s openness to enhanced cooperation with Afghanistan. He stressed that Benin values constructive relations with all nations and sees potential for mutually beneficial engagement, particularly in trade and people-to-people exchanges.

The two diplomats also discussed the role of multilateral forums and international organizations in facilitating cooperation, agreeing that continued diplomatic engagement could pave the way for formal agreements and future high-level contacts.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both ambassadors expressed optimism about the prospects for expanding Afghan–Beninese relations and agreed to maintain regular communication to follow up on the ideas discussed. The meeting reflects Afghanistan’s broader diplomatic efforts to diversify its international partnerships and strengthen relations beyond its immediate region. (ILKHA)