Benin’s President Patrice Talon has assured citizens that the country is “totally under control” after loyalist forces stopped an attempted military coup on Sunday. Speaking in a calm televised address, Talon praised the army’s “sense of duty and loyalty” and said the rebels had been pushed back and their remaining areas of resistance neutralised.
The coup attempt began early Sunday morning when a group of soldiers stormed the national broadcaster and announced on live television that the constitution had been suspended. According to the government, the mutineers were later driven out after hours-long clashes.
Nigeria Confirms Air Operation
Later in the day, loud explosions were heard in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city and seat of government. Flight-tracking data showed three aircraft entering Benin’s airspace from neighbouring Nigeria shortly before the blasts. A spokesperson for Nigeria’s president confirmed that Nigerian fighter jets helped “take over the airspace” to dislodge the coup plotters from the national broadcaster and a military base.
Arrests and Casualties
Government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji told Reuters that 14 people have been arrested, including 12 of the soldiers who stormed the state TV station, one of whom had previously been dismissed from service. President Talon offered condolences to the “victims of this senseless adventure” but did not clarify whether fatalities had occurred.
Eyewitnesses reported gunfire near the presidential residence and said state media journalists were held hostage for several hours.
Coup Leaders Cite Deteriorating Security
The coup group, led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, accused Talon of mishandling the country’s worsening security challenges, especially rising militant attacks in the north near Niger and Burkina Faso. They criticised what they called neglect of fallen soldiers’ families, cuts to healthcare—including cancellation of state-funded kidney dialysis—and rising taxes. The group also denounced restrictions on political activities.
Political Climate in Benin
Benin has long been regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies, but President Talon has faced increasing criticism for tightening control over politics and dissent.
Talon, a former cotton tycoon elected in 2016, is serving his second and final term and has pledged not to run again. Elections are scheduled for April, and he has endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his successor. Critics point to recent developments—including barring the main opposition candidate in October and constitutional amendments extending terms of elected officials—as signs of shrinking democratic space.
Regional Concerns
The attempted coup comes amid a surge of military takeovers across West Africa, including in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger and the recent ousting of Guinea-Bissau’s president. Regional bodies fear instability could spread further.
ECOWAS and the African Union both condemned the coup attempt. ECOWAS announced that a standby force contingent will be deployed to protect Benin’s constitutional order and territorial integrity.
Pro-Russian online accounts celebrated news of the attempted takeover, although Benin has historically been viewed as an ally of Western countries.