Benin’s President Patrice Talon has publicly thanked army leaders for their loyalty in defeating an attempted coup on Sunday, describing the mutineers as “adventurers” whose actions will not go unpunished.
Early Sunday morning, soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation seized state television and announced the dissolution of the government. Hours later, the interior minister confirmed the takeover had been foiled.
In a national address, Talon commended the armed forces: “With them, we stood firm, recaptured our positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance… This treachery will not go unpunished.”
He also expressed condolences to victims of what he called a “senseless adventure” and pledged efforts to rescue hostages still held by fleeing mutineers.
Arrests and Calm in Cotonou
Local media reported that 13 soldiers have been arrested, though it remains unclear whether coup leader Lt Col Pascal Tigri is among them. Gunfire was heard in parts of Cotonou, but the capital has since returned to relative calm. Broadcast signals to state TV and radio, briefly cut off, were restored later in the day.
Regional Response
The coup attempt is the latest in a series of military takeovers across West Africa, including last month’s ouster of Guinea-Bissau’s president. ECOWAS condemned the Benin mutiny as “a subversion of the will of the people” and announced the deployment of troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to support Benin’s army.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu praised his country’s armed forces for their role in restoring order. According to government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Benin requested both air and ground support, and Nigerian forces helped flush out coup plotters from the national broadcaster.
Political Context
Benin, once plagued by coups after independence from France in 1960, has enjoyed relative stability since 1991. Talon, in power since 2016, is set to step down next April after completing his second term. His party’s candidate, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is considered the frontrunner in the upcoming election.
Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was barred from running due to insufficient sponsorship. Meanwhile, constitutional changes last month extended presidential terms from five to seven years, though the two-term limit remains intact.
Key Takeaways
- President Talon praised army leaders for loyalty in defeating Sunday’s coup attempt.
- Thirteen soldiers have been arrested; coup leader Lt Col Pascal Tigri’s status remains unclear.
- ECOWAS deployed regional troops, while Nigeria provided air and ground support.
- The coup attempt follows a string of military takeovers in West Africa.
- Talon is set to step down next April, with his party’s candidate favored to win.