A senior government official in Benin has informed the BBC that Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, identified as the leader of Sunday's attempted coup, is reportedly seeking refuge in neighboring Togo. The Benin government intends to request his extradition; however, Togo's government has not issued a statement regarding the claim.
The coup attempt occurred on Sunday, with a group of soldiers appearing on state television to announce a takeover, accompanied by gunfire near the presidential residence. Nigeria deployed fighter jets to dislodge the mutineers from a military base and state TV offices, following a request from President Patrice Talon's government. French special forces also provided assistance to loyalist troops. The head of Benin's republican guard stated French special forces were used for "mopping up operations" after the Beninese army's actions, while Benin's government spokesman indicated France primarily offered intelligence support.
The unnamed senior official stated that Lt Col Pascal Tigri is believed to be in Lomé, Togo, in the vicinity of President Faure Gnassingbé's residence. The official confirmed that an official extradition request would be made, pending Togo's reaction. Independent confirmation of this claim is not available.
Togo is a member of the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, which condemned the coup attempt. Ecowas has dispatched troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast to secure critical installations in Benin. This deployment signals a shift in Ecowas's approach to military takeovers in the region.
Benin, a former French colony, has generally been perceived as one of Africa's more stable democracies, though it is categorized as one of the world's poorest countries and a major cotton producer. Nigeria characterized the coup attempt as "a direct assault on democracy."
Benin's government spokesman, Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji, identified a small number of soldiers from the National Guard as being responsible for the coup attempt. The National Guard, a recent creation within the army, was established for counter-terrorism efforts and is equipped with significant resources and trained personnel.
The rebel soldiers released a statement criticizing President Talon's administration. Their grievances included the "continuing deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin," where the army has experienced losses against jihadist militants linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda near its borders with Niger and Burkina Faso. They also cited "the ignorance and neglect of the situation of our brothers in arms who have fallen at the front and, above all, that of their families, abandoned to their sad fate by Mr Patrice Talon's policies." Additional criticisms included healthcare cuts, such as the cancellation of state-funded kidney dialysis, tax increases, and restrictions on political activities.
President Talon, an ally of Western nations, is scheduled to conclude his second term in 2025, with elections set for April. He has publicly supported Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his successor. Talon's tenure, which began in 2016, has been associated with economic development by supporters, but has also drawn criticism regarding limitations on dissenting voices, including the electoral commission barring a main opposition candidate in October.
The Benin coup attempt follows recent military interventions in West Africa, including the reported overthrow of Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, though its legitimacy has been questioned. Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger have also experienced coups in recent years, leading to concerns about regional stability. These Sahel countries have strengthened ties with Russia and formed the Alliance of Sahel States after withdrawing from Ecowas. Reports from BBC Monitoring indicate that news of the Benin takeover attempt was noted by pro-Russian social media accounts.