Benin Foils Coup Attempt; Nigeria Releases Abducted Schoolchildren; DRC Accuses Rwanda

Benin Coup Attempt Foiled

• 🇧🇯 Life is returning to normal in Benin 24 hours after an attempted coup to overthrow President Patrice Talon was foiled.
• 🛡️ The coup attempt was thwarted by Benin's authorities with assistance from neighboring Nigeria.
• 💥 Violent clashes occurred between coup plotters and the Republican Guard, resulting in casualties on both sides.
• 📢 A group of eight soldiers appeared on national television announcing the president's removal, citing worsening security and violations of freedoms.
• 🤝 The Beninese government called on the Nigerian army for support, which carried out air strikes and deployed troops.
• ⚖️ The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denounced the coup attempt and pledged support for President Talon.
• 🔍 The mastermind, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigray, is reportedly still at large, while a dozen soldiers have been arrested.

Nigerian Schoolchildren Released

• 🇳🇬 100 Nigerian schoolchildren abducted last month have been released and are en route to their state capital to reunite with families.
• 🎒 Over 300 children and 12 teachers were abducted by unidentified armed gunmen on November 21st.
• 😥 At least 100 others remain in captivity, with the government working towards their release.
• 💰 Suspicions remain that ransom may have been paid for the release, a practice warned against due to potential links to armed groups.

Regional Instability and Diplomacy

• 🇨🇩 Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating a US-brokered peace deal just days after its signing.
• ⚔️ The situation in the east of the DRC continues to deteriorate with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels engaged in ongoing fighting.
• 🌍 The attempted coup in Benin highlights the volatility and instability in the West African sub-region, with similar events occurring in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Guinea Bissau.
• 🤝 ECOWAS's swift response is crucial to ensuring democracy thrives and preventing further deterioration of peace and security.

Ivorian President's Inauguration

• 🇨🇮 Alassane Ouattara was sworn in for his fourth term as President of Ivory Coast amidst a controversial election marked by low turnout and unrest.
• 🌍 The inauguration was attended by 11 African heads of state, underscoring regional cooperation.
• ⚠️ Ouattara acknowledged the fragile state of the sub-region, including terrorist threats and food insecurity.

Lagos Prepares for Year-End Festivities

• 🇳🇬 Lagos is gearing up for DTI December, Nigeria's traditional end-of-year extravaganza, despite a recent state of emergency declared over mass kidnappings.