The Federal Government of Nigeria has swiftly condemned an attempted military coup in neighbouring Benin Republic after government forces successfully thwarted the plot on Sunday. A small faction of soldiers, who identified themselves as the "Military Committee for Refoundation" (CMR), claimed on state television to have removed President Patrice Talon from office.
Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, later confirmed that security forces had acted rapidly to neutralise the threat, ensuring President Talon remained safely in office.
The condemnation, issued by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the action as a "direct assault on democracy" and the collective will of the Beninese people.
The attempted takeover unfolded on Sunday when the self-styled CMR, reportedly led by Colonel Tigri Pascal, appeared on national television. The group announced it was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution, and immediately closing air, land, and maritime borders. The statement specifically claimed that President Talon "is removed from office as president of the republic."
However, the military committee’s action was short-lived. Hours later, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou stated that the Beninese armed forces had foiled the plot before it could gain any traction.
Nigeria’s response came in a statement from the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa. Nigeria expressed profound concern over the incident and reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with the neighbouring country.
"Nigeria stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of the Republic of Benin, and applauds the swift action taken by Beninese authorities to protect its legitimate institutions and preserve the peace," Ebienfa said in the official statement.
The Federal Government particularly commended the effort of the Beninese security forces in sustaining democracy. "We commend the courage and professionalism of the Beninese security forces in defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the President," the statement read.
Nigeria also used the opportunity to call upon regional and international bodies to take a unified stand. "We call on all member states and the international community to unite in condemning this act and reaffirming our shared commitment to the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance," the statement emphasised.
The attempted takeover in Benin comes against a troubling backdrop of democratic backsliding across West Africa. The region has witnessed a series of successful military coups in recent years, including in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
These successful seizures of power have created an environment of political instability, challenging the foundational principles of both ECOWAS and the African Union (AU).
Benin, once hailed as a multi-party democratic model in the 1990s, has increasingly faced scrutiny over its democratic health, particularly during President Talon’s tenure. However, the swift quashing of the recent attempt demonstrates a significant deviation from the trend witnessed in its northern neighbours.
Following the Interior Minister’s confirmation that the coup had been foiled, President Talon remained in charge of the executive branch. TVC News reported that all national institutions remained functional and that security forces were in full control of the capital, Cotonou, and key government installations.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm. “We urge all parties in the Republic of Benin to remain calm, uphold the rule of law, and continue to channel any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional and democratic means,” the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement advised. While initial reports indicated borders were closed by the plotters, normal operations were expected to resume swiftly under government control.
