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Regional forces bolster Benin after coup attempt
Approximately 200 soldiers from West African nations, primarily Nigeria and Ivory Coast, remain in Benin to assist authorities following Sunday's foiled coup, the country's foreign minister announced Thursday.
Coup details and military response
Rebel soldiers seized a military base and state television headquarters, declaring a government takeover before Nigerian fighter jets intervened to dislodge them. The operation successfully repelled the mutineers, though their leader is reportedly hiding in neighboring Togo.
Benin's Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari stated that the coup had already failed by the time regional forces arrived under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol. He emphasized that Beninese troops had regained control before reinforcements were deployed.
Troop deployment and ongoing operations
ECOWAS dispatched troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast to secure critical infrastructure and prevent further unrest. An Ivory Coast security source confirmed that 50 of its soldiers were part of the contingent.
Bakari, speaking in Abuja alongside Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, described the foreign troops' role as supporting "sweep and clean-up operations." He noted that precise aerial strikes targeted rebel positions while minimizing civilian risks.
"When we started discussions for the intervention, our military had already pushed them back."
Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, Benin's Foreign Minister
Motives and regional implications
The coup plotters cited President Patrice Talon's handling of northern Benin's deteriorating security situation, where jihadist militants linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda have expanded their influence. The region has faced repeated attacks near borders with Niger and Burkina Faso.
ECOWAS, under pressure after recent coups in the region, has taken a firmer stance against military takeovers. Bakari praised the bloc's role in defending democratic governance, while Tuggar highlighted swift coordination between Nigeria and Benin to thwart the coup.
Uncertainty over foreign forces and future steps
It remains unclear whether French special forces, who reportedly aided loyalist troops, are still in Benin. Discussions continue regarding the duration of the ECOWAS deployment, with Bakari stating any decision would be made in collaboration with Benin's military.
Talon, a Western ally, is set to leave office next year after completing his second term, with elections scheduled for April.
