9 Explosive Moments: Benin Coup Attempt Shakes West Africa

9 Explosive Moments: Benin Coup Attempt Shakes West Africa as President Patrice Talon declares the coup defeated. Gunfire, explosions and chaotic street battles jolted Benin’s economic capital of Cotonou over the weekend, after an attempted military coup plunged the normally stable West African nation into its gravest political crisis in decades.

The upheaval prompted the U.S. Embassy in Benin to issue an emergency security alert ordering American citizens to shelter in place, as fighting erupted near government buildings and communications networks were disrupted.

Although President Patrice Talon later declared the coup defeated, the violence, foreign military intervention and rapid deployment of ECOWAS forces have exposed growing fault lines in a region already scarred by military takeovers and jihadist insurgencies.

9 Explosive Moments: Benin Coup Attempt Shakes West Africa

US Embassy Orders Americans to Shelter in Place

Late Sunday, the U.S. Embassy warned of “unclear security conditions” across Cotonou, citing reports of gunfire, explosions, roadblocks, and disruptions to phone and internet services.

In its emergency alert, the embassy ordered U.S. citizens to:

• Remain indoors and shelter in place
• Avoid the presidential and government districts
• Maintain a low profile and review personal security plans
• Expect suspension of all routine consular services

French and Russian embassies later issued similar warnings, underscoring international concern as gun battles echoed through the city.

Clashes Rock Cotonou as Mutineers Move In

Residents described scenes of panic as armed soldiers battled loyalist forces across multiple neighborhoods. Gunfire rang out as people attempted to attend Sunday church services, only to retreat indoors as clashes intensified.

Businesses shuttered, roads emptied and families barricaded themselves inside homes as reports emerged of armed confrontations near the presidential residence and state institutions.Police secured key intersections while armoured vehicles appeared across central Cotonou, according to eyewitnesses.

Rebel Soldiers Briefly Seize State Television

The coup attempt escalated dramatically when mutinying soldiers stormed Benin’s state broadcaster early Sunday morning.

On live television, the rebels announced:

• Dissolution of national institutions
• Suspension of the constitution
• Closure of national borders

The mutineers claimed to be acting under a military committee led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, citing rising insecurity, neglect of fallen soldiers’ families, economic strain and deteriorating public services. The broadcast was cut after loyalist forces launched counter-operations, eventually reclaiming the station later in the day.

President Patrice Talon Declares Coup ‘Defeated’

Hours after the embassy alert, President Patrice Talon appeared on state television to announce that loyalist troops had defeated the coup attempt. “Our forces stood firm, recaptured our positions and cleared the last pockets of resistance,” Talon said.

He vowed harsh punishment for the mutineers and expressed sympathy for victims and hostages taken during the fighting, though he did not provide a death toll. Talon later confirmed that senior officers kidnapped by the rebels had been safely released.

Nigeria Launches Airstrikes at Benin’s Request

In a dramatic regional escalation, Nigeria deployed fighter jets and ground troops to Benin after receiving urgent requests for assistance from Talon’s government.

According to Nigerian and Beninese officials:

• Nigerian jets entered Benin’s airspace early Sunday
• Airstrikes targeted rebel-held positions and armoured vehicles
• Ground troops followed to help secure constitutional institutions

President Bola Tinubu said the intervention aimed to “dislodge coup plotters” and prevent state collapse in a neighboring country vital to regional stability. Benin’s government later confirmed that Nigerian airstrikes immobilised armoured vehicles without causing civilian casualties.

Casualties and Hostage Crisis Emerge

The coup attempt resulted in casualties on both sides, though official figures remain unclear.

Government sources confirmed:

• One senior military officer’s wife was killed during clashes
• Multiple soldiers were injured
• Two top army officials were kidnapped and later freed

Officials said fighting reached the presidential residence, where mutineers clashed with the elite Republican Guard before retreating.

ECOWAS Deploys Regional Standby Force

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) swiftly condemned the coup attempt and activated its regional standby force.

Troops from:

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Ivory Coast
• Sierra Leone

were dispatched to assist Benin in restoring order and preserving constitutional governance. ECOWAS said the move was aimed at preventing the kind of prolonged instability witnessed in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea, where coups have upended democratic rule over the past five years.

Why Nigeria Intervened So Forcefully

Analysts say Nigeria’s rapid and forceful intervention reflects deep security concerns. Benin shares borders with Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Togo — regions increasingly plagued by jihadist violence, arms trafficking and cross-border insurgency.

“A hostile military-led government in Benin could destabilise southwest Nigeria economically and militarily,” said Mucahid Durmaz of Verisk Maplecroft. Nigeria fears being surrounded by unstable or military-ruled neighbors, especially as jihadist groups expand their reach southward.

Rising Jihadist Threat in Northern Benin

Northern Benin has suffered repeated extremist attacks despite the government deploying thousands of troops under Operation Mirador since 2022.

Deadly assaults in January and April killed dozens of soldiers, straining morale within the armed forces. The coup plotters themselves cited northern insecurity as one of their motivations, though critics say mutiny would only worsen security conditions.

Political Tensions Ahead of 2026 Election

The attempted coup comes just four months before Benin’s April presidential election, marking the end of Patrice Talon’s second term. Although Talon is constitutionally barred from running again, his ruling coalition has endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, widely seen as the frontrunner.

Recent constitutional reforms — including the creation of a Senate and extension of presidential mandates — have drawn criticism from opposition groups, who accuse the government of consolidating power. The main opposition party’s candidate was barred from running over sponsorship rules, further fueling political tension.

Arrests and Manhunt for Coup Leader

Authorities confirmed that at least 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt.

Most detainees are believed to be:

• Active-duty soldiers
• One former military officer

The coup’s alleged leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, remains at large and is believed to be hiding in rural areas, according to security sources. The military continues its manhunt as armoured vehicles and patrols maintain a visible presence across Cotonou.

Calm Returns to Cotonou — For Now

By Monday, traffic had resumed in much of Cotonou and daily life cautiously restarted, though military checkpoints remained.

Residents expressed relief but little confidence that stability would hold. “We never trust the situation,” one shop owner told reporters. “We’ve seen how quickly things can change.”

UN, AU and Global Condemnation

The United Nations, African Union, France and other international partners condemned the coup attempt, urging restraint and dialogue.

UN officials reaffirmed support for constitutional order, while diplomats stressed the need to address underlying political and security grievances to prevent future unrest.

A Region on Edge

Benin has long been viewed as a democratic exception in a region battered by military rule. Its last successful coup occurred in 1972.

This attempted putsch underscores a broader pattern of instability spreading across West Africa, fueled by insecurity, economic hardship and contested political transitions.

While the Talon government survived this challenge, analysts warn that without reforms, dialogue and effective security responses, the risk of future upheaval remains high.

Conclusion: Stability Preserved, Questions Remain

The failed Benin coup attempt has been swiftly contained — but not without exposing deep vulnerabilities. From foreign military intervention and embassy lockdowns to political mistrust and extremist threats, the crisis marks a turning point for Benin and the region.

As ECOWAS troops deploy and elections approach, the challenge now lies not merely in restoring order, but in ensuring lasting stability in a part of Africa where democracy increasingly hangs in the balance.

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