In early December, an attempted military coup in Benin was thwarted with significant regional and international assistance, while in early 2024, Burkina Faso's military government reported foiling an alleged assassination plot against its leader. These events underscore a period of heightened security challenges and political instability across West Africa, with Togo navigating complex diplomatic and security dynamics, including its role in the extradition of a former Burkinabè president and allegations of harboring an alleged Benin coup leader.
Attempted Coup in Benin
On a Sunday morning in early December, a group of soldiers appeared on state television in Cotonou, Benin's largest city, announcing a takeover. Reports of gunfire near the presidential residence accompanied the declaration. The mutineers, identified as a small number of soldiers from the National Guard, stated they were led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri.
President Patrice Talon later declared the situation "totally under control," stating that loyalist forces had cleared the last pockets of resistance. Following a request from the Beninese government, neighboring Nigeria deployed fighter jets, conducting bombardments targeting mutinous soldiers at the national TV and radio station and a military base near Cotonou's airport. Multiple explosions reported in Cotonou later that day were attributed to these air strikes. Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister noted swift diplomatic, military, and intelligence coordination in countering the coup. French special forces also provided assistance to loyalist troops, with Benin's government spokesman indicating primary intelligence support, while the head of Benin's republican guard mentioned "mopping up operations." The ongoing presence of French forces has not been confirmed.
The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, condemned the coup attempt and deployed approximately 200 ground troops from member states including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast to secure critical installations. An Ivory Coast security source confirmed 50 soldiers from their country were part of this regional deployment. These forces remained for a "sweep and clean-up operation," with discussions ongoing regarding the duration of their presence.
The rebel soldiers cited several grievances to justify their actions. These included the "continuing deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin," where the army has experienced losses against jihadist militants near its borders with Niger and Burkina Faso. They also highlighted perceived "ignorance and neglect" of fallen soldiers and their families, as well as cuts in healthcare services, tax increases, and restrictions on political activities.
In the aftermath, 14 individuals were apprehended, including a soldier who had been previously dismissed. Security forces continue to search for Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri and other plotters. A senior Beninese official alleged that Tigri was seeking refuge in Togo, possibly in Lomé near President Faure Gnassingbé's residence, and stated that Benin intended to request his extradition. Togo's government has not issued a statement regarding this claim, though another report suggested Tigri might have subsequently traveled to Burkina Faso or Niger. Casualties from the attempt included at least one civilian fatality, the wife of President Talon's military adviser, and two abducted top military officials who were rescued. An unspecified number of individuals were also reported to have been held hostage.
Benin, a former French colony, has historically been perceived as one of Africa's more stable democracies. President Patrice Talon, 67, assumed office in 2016 and is an ally of Western nations. While supporters credit his tenure with economic development, critics have cited limitations on dissenting voices, including the electoral commission barring a main opposition candidate in October. President Talon is scheduled to conclude his second term in 2025, with elections set for April, and has endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his preferred successor. Recent parliamentary amendments extended terms for elected officials to seven years and established a Senate, while maintaining the presidential two-term limit. Reports indicated that the attempted coup did not receive popular support in Cotonou.
Regional Instability and Togo's Complex Role
The attempted coup in Benin occurs within a broader context of heightened instability across West Africa, marked by multiple military interventions in recent years, including in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and a questioned overthrow in Guinea-Bissau. This trend has led to increased concerns about regional security.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the Benin coup attempt, marking a reinforced commitment to upholding democratic governance. The bloc's swift military response in Benin was noted as a contrast to its handling of the 2023 coup in Niger, where logistical challenges initially prevented immediate intervention.
Several Sahelian countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have withdrawn from ECOWAS and formed their own alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and have also strengthened ties with Russia. Reports from BBC Monitoring indicated that news of the Benin takeover attempt was noted by pro-Russian social media accounts.
Togo, an ECOWAS member, maintains relations with these Sahelian nations, and its Foreign Minister has publicly discussed the possibility of Togo joining the AES. Togo is pursuing a foreign policy that cultivates relations with diverse international partners. President Faure Gnassingbé met with French President Emmanuel Macron in October and with Russian President Vladimir Putin less than three weeks later. During the meeting in Moscow, a defense partnership was formally approved, granting Russian vessels access to Lomé port, a deepwater harbor crucial for landlocked Sahelian states. This agreement also includes provisions for intelligence cooperation and joint military exercises, alongside plans for economic cooperation and the reopening of their respective embassies. Togo's government asserts that strengthening ties with Russia represents a natural diversification of relationships rather than a move to disengage from Western partners. Togo has also joined the Commonwealth, complementing its existing membership in the International Francophonie Organisation.
Lomé, Togo's capital, serves as a significant freight, travel, and financial hub in West Africa, with its deepwater port facilitating cargo transhipment and its airport offering flights across the region.
Domestically, Togo implemented a constitutional change in 2024, which altered the structure of its government by transferring executive authority from the presidency, which became a ceremonial role, to a new position, "president of the council," without term limits. President Faure Gnassingbé transitioned to this new role. This constitutional amendment prompted public protests, which were reportedly suppressed, leading to detentions and intimidation of journalists. The European Parliament passed a resolution calling for the unconditional release of political prisoners, to which the Togolese government reiterated the independence of its justice system. The "president of the council" later indicated an intention to review potential prisoner releases.
Burkina Faso's Alleged Assassination Plot and Extradition
In early 2024, Burkina Faso's military government reported thwarting an alleged plot to assassinate its military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana alleged that Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, whom Traoré deposed in September 2022, orchestrated the plan. The plot reportedly aimed to assassinate Captain Traoré before targeting other key institutions and civilian figures. Minister Sana also alleged that the operation received funding from neighboring Ivory Coast, mentioning 70 million CFA francs. Neither Lieutenant Colonel Damiba nor Ivory Coast has publicly commented on these specific allegations. Investigations led to several arrests.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, who was in exile, was later expelled from Togo and handed over to Burkinabè authorities on a Saturday. Togo's justice ministry confirmed the extradition, stating that it received assurances from Burkina Faso that Damiba's "physical integrity, dignity and fair-trial rights" would be ensured, and that the death penalty would not be applied.
The charges leveled against Damiba by Burkina Faso's military government include criminal embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, aggravated receiving of stolen goods, money laundering, and plotting to murder President Traoré.
Damiba initially seized power in January 2022 by overthrowing the elected government of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, citing dissatisfaction with the state's handling of Islamist violence. He was himself overthrown eight months later by Ibrahim Traoré, then an artillery officer, who accused Damiba of failing to improve security. Since Traoré assumed power, his government has increased control, expelling French forces, adopting a nationalist stance, and reinstating the death penalty. Burkina Faso continues to experience significant militant jihadist attacks across much of the country. Damiba's return and subsequent arrest are anticipated to heighten tensions within the country's military and political structures.