A Group Of Armed Soldiers In Benin Attempted A Coup But It Failed In Less Than 12 Hours
This was the latest coup attempt in West Africa, where militaries have in recent years seized power in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
A group of armed soldiers in Benin attempted a coup but failed.
A group of Benin Armed Forces soldiers called the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) and led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup on state television on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 7.
CMR claimed it had ousted President Patrice Talon, suspended the constitution and closed all borders.
Gunfire and explosions were then heard in several neighbourhoods of Cotonou, Benin’s largest city.
The French embassy also reported gunfire near Talon's residence in Cotonou and urged citizens to stay at home.
The group said the coup was due to dissatisfaction with Talon's governance, including favoritism in the military, neglect of soldiers killed on duty and their families, deteriorating security in northern Benin, healthcare cuts, increased taxes and restrictions on political activity.
Talon has also been accused of suppressing opposition, with many opposition members imprisoned, including former president Boni Yayi, according to Al Jazeera.
However, Forces loyal to Talon responded quickly and 12 hours later, Talon announced that the government and armed forces thwarted the coup attempt.
"This commitment and mobilization enabled us to defeat these adventurers and to prevent the worst for our country... This treachery will not go unpunished," Talon said.
Benin’s interiror minister Alassane Seidou also announced that the government arrested at least 14 people connected with the attempted coup.
Nigeria had also sent air force fighter jets to take over Benin's airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the state television network and a military camp as well as ground troops, according to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu's office.
West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the coup attempt.
This was the latest coup attempt in West Africa, where militaries have in recent years seized power in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, according to Reuters.
The last successful coup in Benin took place in 1972.
Kassy Cho
Meg Chen
