COTONOU – Following a failed coup attempt in Benin on Sunday, neighboring nations have deployed military assets and personnel to assist in restoring order. The government of Benin confirmed on Monday that Nigeria, with regional backing, played a crucial role in thwarting the uprising.
According to official statements, fighter jets from Nigeria conducted strikes against locations held by the coup plotters. This action was reportedly undertaken with the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Reports indicate that both Nigeria and Ivory Coast have dispatched ground troops to bolster Benin’s military capabilities.
The intervention, the first of its kind in nearly a decade, is believed to stem from concerns within Nigeria regarding the potential rise of a hostile military regime in Benin. Analysts suggest that such a scenario could lead to instability and cross-border violence.
On Sunday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu authorized the deployment of fighter aircraft to secure Benin’s airspace as President Patrice Talon’s government struggled to contain the coup attempt, allegedly led by a small faction within the military. Tinubu’s office stated that the operation involves surveillance and rapid response missions in close coordination with Beninese authorities.
Further reinforcements are anticipated from Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana under the ECOWAS framework. Nigeria’s last significant foreign intervention occurred in 2017 when it intervened in The Gambia to ensure the peaceful transfer of power after then-President Yahya Jammeh refused to concede defeat in elections.
Following an emergency meeting, the Beninese government announced that the coup attempt resulted in casualties. “Violent clashes” reportedly erupted on Sunday morning between the Republican Guard and the insurgents near President Talon’s residence, leading to “human losses on both sides.” The government also reported the death of the wife of General Bertin Bada, the President’s military chief of staff, who sustained fatal injuries during the attack.
DZWatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
