Cotonou (HRNW)– The growing series of military coups in African countries has reached Benin, following recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and last week in Guinea-Bissau.
According to the World News Agency, rebel army officers in Benin attempted to overthrow the government and seize key locations. The rebel group took control of Benin’s state TV station, announced the suspension of the constitution, and declared the government overthrown. The coup was led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigre, who criticized President Patrice Talon’s policies and the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin.
President Talon stated that loyal officers foiled the coup, though independent sources reported loud explosions in the afternoon, described as air strikes. Flight data revealed that three Nigerian fighter jets entered Benin airspace to target the mutinous soldiers, a move later confirmed by Nigeria.
The country’s military had split into two factions: one supporting the coup and another loyal to the president. Eyewitnesses reported gunfire near the presidential residence, and state TV journalists were briefly taken hostage. President Talon addressed the nation, announcing that the coup attempt had been fully foiled and that loyalist troops had regained control of all key locations.
Benin’s army reported 14 arrests in connection with the failed coup, including mostly soldiers involved in the TV station attack. ECOWAS and the African Union strongly condemned the attempt, and ECOWAS plans to send a standby force to protect the constitutional government. France, Russia, and the United States advised their citizens to remain indoors or avoid the presidential palace area.
Benin has long been considered a stable democracy in West Africa, but President Talon has faced criticism for suppressing political opposition. Elections are scheduled for April 2026, with Talon nominating Finance Minister Romuald Wadagne as his successor. Recent constitutional amendments extended parliamentary terms from five to seven years while maintaining the two-term presidential limit.
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