Benin President Patrice Talon announced on Sunday that his government and armed forces had successfully thwarted a coup attempt, pledging to punish the soldiers behind it. The unrest unfolded just hours after gunfire erupted in several Cotonou neighbourhoods, the country’s largest city and commercial hub, and a group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming they had removed Talon from power.
Forces loyal to Talon regain control
In a televised statement, Talon said:
“Forces loyal to the government stood firm, recaptured our positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers. This commitment and mobilization enabled us to defeat these adventurers and to prevent the worst for our country… This treachery will not go unpunished.”
He extended his thoughts to victims of the coup attempt and to those held by fleeing mutineers, although details on casualties or hostages remain unverified.
Arrests and international support
A government spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, confirmed that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt as of Sunday afternoon.
At Talon’s request, Nigeria dispatched air force fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and assist in dislodging coup plotters from the state television network and a military camp. Nigerian ground troops were also deployed, according to a statement from President Bola Tinubu’s office.
Regional context and ECOWAS response
The attempted coup adds to growing political instability in West Africa, where militaries have seized power in neighboring countries including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and recently Guinea-Bissau. Analysts note that regional actors swiftly responded to contain the threat.
While coups are rare in Benin—the last successful one occurred in 1972—ECOWAS, alongside the African Union, condemned the coup attempt.
ECOWAS also ordered the immediate deployment of elements of its standby force to Benin, with troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana mobilized to stabilize the situation. This development highlights the challenges and importance of ecowas diplomatic relations in maintaining regional security and democratic governance.
Elections and future outlook
The coup attempt comes ahead of Benin’s upcoming presidential elections, raising concerns about political stability in the country. President Talon’s swift response and the backing of regional forces appear to have contained the immediate threat, but analysts warn that the situation underscores the fragility of democracy in West Africa.
For travel opportunities and bookings, visit our partner site:
https://travel.afrikeye.com/
This story was first reported by Reuters. Read the full article here.
