Benin Says Coup Attempt Foiled as ECOWAS Deploys Troops

Overview

• A small faction calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation briefly appeared on state TV to declare President Patrice Talon deposed, suspend the constitution and dissolve state institutions.
• Authorities said the group controlled only the broadcaster, the regular army retook key sites, and Talon later told the nation the situation was completely under control.
• Security forces detained several participants, two senior officers held by the plotters were freed, and a figure identified as Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was reported to be on the run.
• ECOWAS said forces from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone were being sent to support Benin’s military, while Nigeria said it conducted strikes and mobilized troops.
• Cotonou saw gunfire near Camp Guezo and blockades around the presidency and state TV on Sunday, but traffic and daily life largely normalized on Monday with no reports of unusual military activity at the airport.