A swift and decisive military intervention by loyalist forces, bolstered by critical international aid, has preserved the constitutional government of Benin following an attempted coup d’état on Sunday. Mutinous soldiers, declaring themselves the "Military Committee for Refoundation," briefly seized the national broadcaster to announce the dissolution of President Patrice Talon’s administration. The situation was brought under control within hours after Beninese forces, supported by Nigerian air power and a regional security commitment, recaptured key installations in the economic capital, Cotonou.
The audacious move represents the latest tremor of political instability to shake West Africa, a region grappling with a resurgence of military takeovers. The plotters, led by an officer identified as Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, aimed to destabilize state institutions, according to Interior Minister Alassane Seidou. Their televised proclamation, however, was rapidly countered by a coordinated response that underscored both internal military loyalty and evolving regional security protocols.
Operational details reveal a calculated, multi-layered effort to crush the uprising. Following formal requests from the Beninese government, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu authorized an immediate military response. Nigerian fighter jets entered Beninese airspace, conducting an air strike that resulted in significant explosions audible across parts of Cotonou. The objective, as stated by Tinubu’s office, was to "dislodge the coup plotters from the national TV and a military camp where they had regrouped." This aerial intervention was subsequently reinforced by the deployment of Nigerian ground troops.
Concurrently, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) activated its regional standby force, ordering the immediate dispatch of troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone to bolster Benin’s constitutional order. This rapid mobilization highlights the bloc’s heightened alertness following recent coups in neighboring Sahel nations. By evening, President Talon appeared on television to confirm the government had reasserted control, praising the army’s fidelity to the nation.
In his address, Talon acknowledged the human cost of the day’s events, confirming there were casualties and that hostages had been taken by fleeing mutineers. He vowed that the "treachery will not go unpunished," signaling impending legal and military repercussions for those involved. The president’s commendation of his security forces aimed to project an image of restored authority and cohesion.
The failed putsch carries significant implications beyond Benin’s borders. Nigeria’s characterization of the event as a "direct assault on democracy" underscores the geopolitical stakes for regional powers committed to maintaining the status quo. While the immediate threat has been neutralized, the incident exacerbates existing anxieties about democratic erosion and security governance in West Africa. The sustained presence of an ECOWAS stabilization force will be crucial in the coming weeks to deter further unrest and allow for a thorough investigation. This episode serves as a stark reminder of the persistent vulnerabilities facing even the region's more stable democracies.