Benin's security forces are actively searching for individuals involved in an attempted coup that occurred on Sunday morning. President Patrice Talon stated that the plotters had taken an unspecified number of hostages during the incident.
The attempted takeover commenced with individuals appearing on state television to announce a change in government, accompanied by reports of gunfire near the presidential residence. President Talon subsequently declared the situation "totally under control." Nigeria's government confirmed its assistance in thwarting the mutiny, stating that its fighter jets had aided in dislodging plotters from the National TV station and a military camp following a request from Benin.
Later on Sunday afternoon, significant explosions were reported in Cotonou, Benin's largest city and the seat of government. These explosions were attributed to an air strike, with flight-tracking data showing three Nigerian aircraft entering and then exiting Benin's airspace. The extent of the damage remains unconfirmed.
Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, a Benin government spokesperson, informed Reuters that 14 individuals had been arrested in connection with the attempted coup. A local journalist indicated that 12 of those arrested were believed to have been involved in storming the national TV station, including a soldier who had previously been dismissed. Lt Col Pascal Tigri was identified by the plotters as their leader; his current location is unknown.
In a national address on Sunday evening, President Talon, 67, announced that loyalist forces had "cleared the last pockets of resistance." He stated that the "commitment and mobilisation" of forces had allowed them to "defeat these opportunists and avert disaster." The president reassured citizens that the situation was "completely under control" and urged them to resume their normal activities. He also extended condolences "to the victims of this adventure, as well as to those still being held by fleeing mutineers," without specifying casualties.
The rebel soldiers cited several grievances to justify their actions. They criticized President Talon's administration regarding the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin, where the army has sustained losses against jihadist militants near the borders with Niger and Burkina Faso. They also highlighted the perceived "ignorance and neglect" of fallen soldiers and their families. Additional criticisms included cuts in healthcare services, such as the cancellation of state-funded kidney dialysis, tax increases, and restrictions on political activities.
Benin, a former French colony, has historically been considered one of Africa's more stable democracies. However, President Talon has faced accusations of suppressing dissent against his policies. The nation is a significant cotton producer but is classified among the world's poorer countries. Nigeria characterized the coup attempt as an "assault on democracy."
International responses included advisories from the French and Russian embassies, which urged their citizens to remain indoors, while the U.S. embassy advised staying away from Cotonou, particularly the presidential compound area.
The attempted coup in Benin follows a series of similar events in West Africa, raising concerns about regional stability. Recent years have seen coups in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. Just over a week prior to the Benin incident, Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was reportedly overthrown, though some regional figures questioned its authenticity. These regional developments have been accompanied by increased Russian ties with Sahel countries, and Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formed the Alliance of Sahel States after withdrawing from the West African regional bloc Ecowas. Ecowas and the African Union (AU) both issued condemnations of the coup attempt in Benin.
President Talon, considered an ally of Western nations, is scheduled to conclude his second term next year, with elections set for April. He has endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his successor. Talon, a businessman known as "the king of cotton," assumed power in 2016. While supporters credit him with economic development, his government has been criticized for limiting dissenting voices. In October, Benin's electoral commission disqualified the main opposition candidate due to insufficient sponsors. Last month, parliamentary amendments extended terms for elected officials from five to seven years, though the presidential two-term limit remained.