West African troops were sent to Benin on the weekend following what the country’s leader described as an failed attempted takeover.
President Claims Control Following Security Forces Respond
Benin’s head of state, Patrice Talon, said on that day that the situation was “totally under control” after security forces acted to end a takeover bid by a faction of military personnel who attacked government buildings.
Regional Bloc Orders Troop Deployment
But, Ecowas – the region's regional bloc – said it had ordered the swift dispatch of elements of its standby force to the nation, which has a inhabitants of about 14.5 million.
“Soldiers from Ghana, Ivory Coast, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Sierra Leone were being sent to ‘support the government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin’,” the bloc said in a statement.
Aerial Bombardment Conducted by Neighboring Country
A neighboring country's air force also struck locations in the territory, a informed official told news agencies on the same day. An military spokesperson said this action was “in line with Ecowas protocols and the Ecowas standby force mandate”.
It was not clear what the objectives of the aerial operations were.
Mutiny Aimed at State Destabilization
Previously that day a group of soldiers had “launched a mutiny”, Benin’s security chief declared, “with the aim of destabilising the state and its institutions”.
The soldiers had appeared on Benin’s state TV to proclaim the disbandment of the administration in the most recent of many overthrows and attempted coups in the region.
The group, which called itself the Armed Forces Restoration Council, announced the removal of the president and all government bodies. Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri was named president of the junta, the announcers stated.
Government Forces Foil Attempt
The rapid deployment of units loyal to the administration “allowed us to thwart these adventurers”, Talon said in comments broadcast on national television after the government regained control of the station.
“This treachery will not go unpunished,” he added.
Most Recent Threat to Regional Democracy
The attempted coup was the most recent threat to democratic rule in the area, where militaries have in recent years seized power in the country's bordering nations the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as in Mali, Guinea and, only last month, Guinea-Bissau.
However, it was a unexpected event in the nation, where the previous successful overthrow took place in the year 1972.
Arrests Carried Out in Connection to Plot
A official representative, earlier indicated that fourteen individuals had been detained in relation to the coup attempt as of that afternoon, without providing details.
Attempt During Political Planning
The incident occurred while the country was gearing up for a national vote in the spring that would mark the conclusion of the term of Talon, 67, who has been in office since 2016.
In their televised statement, the coup plotters mentioned the worsening safety conditions in northern Benin “coupled with the lack of care and attention of our deceased fellow soldiers”.
Talon has been praised for reviving the economy, but the country has also seen an increase in assaults by extremist groups that have wreaked havoc in Mali and Burkina Faso.
