At least 30 people, the majority of them soldiers, have been jailed in Benin in connection with a failed coup attempt earlier this month, according to reports by French news agency AFP.
The suspects were remanded in custody on Tuesday following a pre-trial hearing, facing serious charges including treason, murder, and endangering state security. The development marks a major step by the Beninese authorities to assert control and deter future attempts to destabilise the country.
Coup Attempt Foiled
The attempted coup occurred on December 7, when a group of soldiers briefly took over the state television station in Cotonou. During the broadcast, they announced the dissolution of the government, sparking panic and uncertainty across the country.
However, the takeover was short-lived. Loyalist forces within the Beninese military swiftly mobilised to counter the rebellion. The government response reportedly included airstrikes, as well as military assistance from Nigeria and other West African allies. France also provided logistical support, highlighting the regional and international concern over political instability in Benin.
Within hours, the coup attempt collapsed, and several of the suspected plotters were arrested.
Leader Still at Large
While dozens of suspects are now in custody, the alleged leader of the coup, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, remains on the run.
Beninese officials claim that Lt. Col. Tigri fled to Lomé, the capital of neighbouring Togo, shortly after the failed takeover. Authorities in Cotonou have reportedly formally requested that the Togolese government extradite Tigri and other fugitive soldiers believed to be involved in the plot.
As of the time of reporting, neither Togolese authorities nor Benin’s government has publicly confirmed whether an extradition process is underway.
Motives Behind the Coup
According to officials and sources familiar with the investigation, the rebel soldiers cited several grievances against President Patrice Talon’s administration.
They accused the government of mishandling the security situation in northern Benin, a region that has faced growing threats linked to extremist violence spilling over from the Sahel. The mutineers also criticised cuts to healthcare and other public services, arguing that such policies had worsened living conditions for ordinary citizens.
In addition, the soldiers alleged that the Talon administration had clamped down on political activities, restricting dissent and shrinking democratic space in the country.
President Talon, who has repeatedly denied accusations of authoritarianism, has maintained that his government’s policies are aimed at stabilising the economy and strengthening national security.
Regional Implications
The attempted coup in Benin comes against the backdrop of a wave of military takeovers and attempted putsches across West Africa in recent years, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea. Although Benin has long been regarded as one of the region’s more stable democracies, analysts say the incident underscores growing tensions within several West African states.
Security experts warn that economic hardship, governance challenges, and regional insecurity continue to create fertile ground for unrest, even in countries previously considered politically stable.
For now, Beninese authorities insist that the situation is under control and that those responsible for the attempted overthrow of the government will face the full weight of the law.
What Next?
The detained suspects are expected to remain in custody as investigations continue and formal trials are prepared. Meanwhile, attention is focused on efforts to apprehend Lt. Col. Tigri and other fugitives, as well as on Benin’s cooperation with neighbouring countries to prevent further security threats.
The outcome of the extradition request to Togo and subsequent court proceedings could shape Benin’s political and security landscape in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, about 200 West African soldiers, mainly from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, have been deployed in Benin to support the government following Sunday’s failed coup.
The attempt was foiled after Abuja deployed fighter jets to drive the mutineers out of a military base and state TV headquarters.
Military help for the government came from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS.
A manhunt is still underway for those believed to be involved in the plot, with the leader of the failed coup, Pascal Tigri, said to have taken refuge in neighbouring Togo.
Benin’s national intelligence has reportedly asked its Togolese counterpart for its supporting in apprehending the fugitive soldiers.
