Benin President Patrice Talon announced late Sunday that the military had successfully crushed a coup attempt led by a group of soldiers in Cotonou, just hours after gunfire and explosions shook the country’s biggest city.
The unrest began early Sunday morning when a group of armed soldiers appeared on state television declaring that they had removed Talon from power, suspended the constitution, and dissolved national institutions. They claimed to be acting under a “military committee” led by Colonel Tigri Pascal.
But Talon, in a televised address hours later, said loyal forces had regained control.
“Armed forces stood firm, retook our positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers,” he said. “This treachery will not go unpunished.”
The president said some people had been taken hostage by the fleeing soldiers and that there were victims, though he did not provide details. Reuters could not independently confirm casualties.
Nigeria, ECOWAS respond
Benin requested assistance from Nigeria, which immediately deployed fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and help dislodge the mutineers from state TV and a military camp. Nigeria also sent ground troops, according to a statement from President Bola Tinubu’s office.
ECOWAS and the African Union strongly condemned the coup attempt. ECOWAS later announced that elements of its standby force, including troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast, and Ghana, would be deployed to Benin.
Government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji said 14 people had been arrested by Sunday afternoon.
Gunfire rattles Cotonou
Residents reported heavy gunfire near the presidential residence early Sunday. Police and soldiers were deployed across major intersections as people remained indoors.
A Cotonou furniture seller, Narcisse, said: “I heard gunshots around 8 a.m. Police rushed in. I closed my shop immediately.”
More gunfire and explosions were heard shortly before Talon’s evening address but later stopped.
Why the coup?
The mutineers accused the government of failing to address rising insecurity in northern Benin, an area increasingly targeted by jihadist militants linked to groups operating in Mali and Burkina Faso.
Benin has seen a growing number of attacks over the past two years, including deadly ambushes in January and April that killed dozens of soldiers.
Security analysts say the unrest may reflect frustration within the military, but the coup attempt still came as a shock in a country that has enjoyed half a century of relative political stability.
“No coups in 50 years is remarkable for West Africa,” said Nina Wilen, Africa Programme Director at the Egmont Institute.
Political tensions ahead of elections
Benin is preparing for a presidential election in April, which is expected to mark the end of Talon’s term.
Last month, parliament approved a new constitution extending the presidential mandate from five to seven years and creating a Senate — moves critics say benefit the ruling coalition. The opposition also accused authorities of blocking its preferred candidate.
With rising insecurity and political tensions, analysts say conditions were ripe for disgruntled soldiers to attempt drastic action.
But for now, Talon insists the situation is fully under control.
