In brief
Last week's attempted coup in Benin, aiming to overthrow President Patrice Talon, was rapidly suppressed through decisive military action from Nigeria and other West African nations. Unlike prior successful coups in the region, this attempt misjudged the lack of public support for such actions, reflecting the unique political context of Benin amid ongoing regional instability. Loyalist forces under Talon's command restored order swiftly, and the rapid response from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) showcased a learned lesson from past interventions.
Had last week's coup attempt in Benin been successful, it would have become the ninth to take hold in the region in the last five years alone.
Just a few days after soldiers took power in Guinea-Bissau while a presidential election vote count was still under way, leaders of the West African grouping Ecowas rapidly concluded that Sunday's attempted overthrow of Benin's President Patrice Talon was one destabilizing step too far.
In support of his government, Nigerian warplanes bombarded mutinous soldiers at the national TV and radio station and a military base near the airport in Cotonou, the largest city. Ecowas also announced the deployment of ground troops from Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone to reinforce the defense of constitutional order.
This is a region that has been shaken by repeated coups since 2020...
Having fought off early morning putschist attacks on Talon's home and the presidency offices, loyalist forces reaffirmed government control across the city, locking down the main administrative district. The rebel troops, however, proved hard to suppress...
