Benin Government Claims Victory Over Attempted Military Coup
The government of Benin has declared that a coup attempt by renegade soldiers has been decisively foiled by loyalist troops. The announcement came after a tense Sunday morning where a group of armed soldiers seized the state broadcaster to declare they had ousted President Patrice Talon.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou addressed the nation to confirm the situation was under control. He stated:
“The Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic. A small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions. [Loyalist forces] were able to retain control of the situation and foil the attempt.”
The incident began in the early hours of Sunday when soldiers appeared on state television. They announced the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of the government. Eyewitnesses in Cotonou reported hearing gunshots, and some journalists at the broadcaster were reportedly held hostage.
Gunshots And Lockdown In Cotonou
The attempted takeover plunged the country’s economic capital into chaos. Residents reported a heavy military presence on the streets, with roads blocked and helicopters circling overhead. Foreign embassies, including those of France and the United States, swiftly issued security alerts urging their citizens to stay indoors and avoid the city centre, particularly near the presidential compound.
A presidential adviser confirmed to the BBC that President Talon was in a safe location, denying earlier rumours he had sought refuge at the French embassy. The soldiers leading the attempt, led by Lt Col Pascal Tigri, broadcast a list of grievances to justify their actions. They criticised Talon’s governance, stating:
“We denounce 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.”
Regional Instability Sparks Concern
The failed coup in Benin has sent shockwaves across West Africa, a region already grappling with a wave of military takeovers. It follows a turbulent period that has seen successful coups in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. Just over a week prior, Guinea-Bissau’s President faced his own overthrow, though some regional figures questioned if it was staged.
Regional bodies were quick to respond. The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the action. AU Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Yousouf reiterated the organisation’s “zero tolerance stance toward any unconstitutional change of government.” Nigeria, Benin’s powerful neighbour, labelled the event a “direct assault on democracy” and praised the loyalist forces.
The rebel soldiers’ statement specifically cited the “continuing deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin,” where the army has suffered losses fighting jihadist militants spilling over from insurgency-hit Niger and Burkina Faso.
Political Tensions Under A Cotton King
President Patrice Talon, a 67-year-old businessman known as the “king of cotton,” is due to step down next year after his second term. He has endorsed his finance minister as a successor. While credited by supporters for economic development, his government has faced persistent accusations of suppressing political opposition. In October, the main opposition candidate was barred from the upcoming April election for lacking enough sponsors.
The attempted coup, though unsuccessful, highlights the fragile political and security climate in a nation once considered a beacon of stability in the region.
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The post Benin Coup Attempt Crushed: Government Claims Victory After Military Mutiny appeared first on iHarare News.
