LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) - A failed coup attempt in Benin has left the apparent leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, on the run and the status of hostages uncertain. The incident unfolded on Sunday when a group of soldiers, self-identified as the Committee for Refoundation, stormed the national television station in an attempt to overthrow President Patrice Talon. During a broadcast, eight soldiers declared the president's removal, the dissolution of the government, and the suspension of all state institutions.
By Sunday afternoon, the coup was suppressed by Benin's military, which, with support from Nigerian air and ground forces, engaged in a series of attacks on the fleeing mutineers. At least a dozen soldiers were arrested, while others, including Tigri, remained unaccounted for as of Monday. President Talon condemned the coup, calling it a "senseless adventure," and expressed his determination to hold the mutineers accountable, promising to ensure the safety of hostages, some of whom are believed to be senior military officers. He refrained from disclosing specific identities or the number of casualties and hostages involved.
The attempted coup has drawn international condemnation, with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres stating that such actions threaten the region's stability. In response to the situation, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu commended his country's armed forces for their role in defending constitutional order in Benin, actions taken at the request of the Beninese government.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also responded to the crisis by deploying a standby force to Benin, consisting of troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. While the size of this force has not been made public, their primary mission is to help maintain democratic governance in the country. Following the initial chaos, calm returned to Cotonou, Benin’s administrative center. However, sporadic gunfire was reported throughout Sunday, and a significant military presence remained visible on the streets on Monday.
Although Benin has a history of coups since its independence from France in 1960, the nation has enjoyed over two decades of continuous democratic rule until now. The recent coup attempt is part of a troubling trend of military takeovers in West Africa, reflecting a surge in such events since 2020. Countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Guinea, Gabon, and recently Guinea-Bissau have all experienced similar upheavals, highlighting the region's growing instability.
In conclusion, the situation in Benin remains tense, with government authorities working diligently to stabilize the country and recover from the coup attempt while international observers closely monitor developments.
