Benin Foils Coup Attempt: Government Declares Situation Under Control

Coup Attempt Foiled

• 🛡️ Benin's government announced that a coup attempt, initiated by a group of soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, has been foiled.
• 📺 The soldiers had appeared on national television to declare the ousting of President Patrice Talon and the seizure of power.
• 🤝 The foreign minister stated that the majority of the National Guard and military remain loyal to the president.
• ⚖️ A government spokesperson confirmed that 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attempt.

Interior Minister's Statement

• 📢 The interior minister addressed the nation, describing the event as a mutiny by a small group of soldiers aiming to destabilize the state.
• ✅ He affirmed that the Benin armed forces remained Republican, fought back, and kept the situation under control.
• 🚶 The government urged the population to continue with their daily routines as usual.

On-the-Ground Situation

• 🚨 While authorities declared the coup foiled, reports indicated sporadic gunshots in certain areas of Cotonou earlier.
• 🚧 Strategic locations, including the presidential palace and areas housing international organizations, were off-limits due to military presence.
• 🚗 Traffic and daily activities, including church services, were gradually returning to normal across the city.
• ❓ The whereabouts of President Patrice Talon remain unconfirmed, though the government asserts he is safe and sound.

Political Context and Discontent

• 📅 This incident marks the second coup attempt in Benin within a little over a year, following a foiled attempt in September 2024.
• 📉 The soldiers involved cited the deterioration of the security situation in the north, neglect of soldiers, and problems with civil liberties as justifications.
• 🗣️ These criticisms, particularly regarding security in the north, have also been voiced by the opposition.
• 🗳️ The political climate is tense with upcoming elections in April, President Talon's term limit, a chosen successor, and the banning of main opposition candidates.