Benin Detains 30 in Failed Coup Attempt

Benin's government has detained around 30 individuals, mostly soldiers, in connection with a failed coup attempt on December 7 that briefly disrupted the West African nation before loyalist forces swiftly restored order.

The incident unfolded when a group of soldiers seized the state broadcaster in Cotonou, the country's economic capital, and appeared on national television to declare President Patrice Talon deposed. They announced the suspension of the constitution, the dissolution of state institutions, and the formation of a short-lived Military Committee for Refoundation, naming Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri as its leader. The plotters, who included young trainee soldiers from the Togbin military base, criticized Talon's administration for mishandling security threats in northern Benin, reducing public services like health care, and restricting political activities.

Loyalist troops, backed by Nigerian airstrikes and French special forces, intervened within hours to thwart the takeover. Benin requested the Nigerian support through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which condemned the attempt and deployed a standby force to help preserve constitutional...