Benin: Short-lived Coup Attempt Leaves Casualties. Cotonou, Benin — Benin’s President Patrice Talon convened an emergency meeting with cabinet ministers on Monday evening following Sunday’s attempted coup.
The government confirmed that the mutiny was thwarted with the assistance of Nigerian fighter jets, resulting in casualties among both government forces and the mutinous troops.
Abuja acknowledged providing both aerial and ground support to its smaller neighbor to restore order.
The attempted coup, which lasted only a short while, prompted an immediate response from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Political consultant Morgan Metondji Assogba noted that ECOWAS was eager to intervene in Benin to prevent a coup, given the recent surge in such events in the West African region.
Assogba emphasized that Benin’s support for ECOWAS intervention was clear, as the country has been relatively stable in the two decades since gaining independence from France.
Benin’s security forces have stepped up their search for Colonel Tigri Pascal, the leader of the coup attempt, who remains at large. Officials have reported several arrests, including the release of two senior military officers who were held hostage.
A Nigerian government spokesperson revealed that Talon had requested assistance from Abuja, which led to Nigeria’s rare military intervention abroad. Analysts suggest that Nigeria has strategic interests in defending its borders, which include Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, amid its own security challenges. They argue that the collapse of state order in Benin could lead to cross-border insecurity, illicit trade, and arms trafficking.
Despite Benin’s history of coups following its independence, the country has experienced relative stability over the past two decades.
The country is scheduled to hold a presidential election in April, with Talon set to leave office after a decade in power. Regional officials confirmed that the government is working to stabilize the situation.
Further details are expected as the investigation into the coup attempt continues.
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Source: Benin government says short-lived coup left casualties on both sides — Hindustantimes. Com/world-news/benin-government-says-short-lived-coup-left-casualties-on-both-sides-mutiny-leader-on-the-run-101765249887121.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
