BENIN COUP ATTEMPT FOILED

A failed coup unfolded in Benin on 7 December, led by army officer Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. The rebel soldiers, calling themselves the Committee for Refoundation, seized the national television station. They announced the removal of President Patrice Talon, dissolution of the government, and suspension of all state institutions.

Coup Quickly Suppressed

• Within hours, Benin’s military regained control and foiled the coup attempt.
• Nigerian air and ground forces supported Benin’s troops during the operation.
• The leader of the coup, Lt. Col. Tigri, was on the run, and the status of hostages remained unclear.

ECOWAS Steps In

• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deployed a standby force to Benin to help safeguard democratic order.
• The troop contingent included personnel from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone.
• Benin is also a member of ECOWAS.

Situation in Cotonou

• Calm returned to Cotonou, Benin’s administrative capital, on 8 December after sporadic gunfire the previous day.
• A heavy deployment of soldiers continued across the city to maintain security.

Benin’s Political Background

• Despite a history of coups after independence from France in 1960, Benin has enjoyed two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule.
• The latest attempt is part of a region-wide pattern of instability since 2020.

Surge of Coups in West Africa

Countries experiencing coups in the last five years include:

• Guinea-Bissau (latest, after disputed elections)
• Mali
• Burkina Faso
• Niger
• Chad
• Guinea
• Gabon

Benin’s Geographical Context

• Located in West Africa, Benin shares a long eastern border with Nigeria.
• It is bordered by Togo (west) and Burkina Faso and Niger (north).