Two senior military officers seized during Sunday’s failed coup attempt in Benin have been released, authorities confirmed early Monday, as calm gradually returned to Cotonou.
Traffic and normal activity resumed in the economic capital after a faction of soldiers appeared on national television on Sunday claiming they had overthrown President Patrice Talon.
Hours later, Talon assured the nation in a televised address that the situation was “completely under control.”
Talon, 67, is expected to leave office in April after completing two terms, in line with Benin’s constitution.
The country has grappled with rising insurgent attacks in its northern region, adding to political tensions.
Nigeria, ECOWAS Intervene Swiftly
In response to the attempted takeover, Benin’s government called for immediate assistance from Nigeria. Abuja confirmed late Sunday that Nigerian forces had conducted operations in Cotonou including airstrikesband deployed troops to support Beninese authorities.
ECOWAS also announced it would send a regional standby force comprising troops from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone to help safeguard constitutional order.
The bloc, alongside the African Union, United Nations, and France, strongly condemned the coup attempt.
Hostages Released, Coup Leader on the Run
Military sources revealed that the two officers Chief of Army Staff Abou Issa and Colonel Faizou Gomina were freed overnight near a National Guard base in Cotonou. Several roads in the capital remained partially closed on Monday, and more military tanks were seen patrolling strategic locations.
The number of soldiers involved in the coup attempt remains unclear, and some individuals are still unaccounted for.
Authorities said about a dozen soldiers had been arrested so far.
President Talon commended security forces for “clearing the last pockets of resistance,” warning that “this treachery will not go unpunished.”
A high-ranking source confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, believed to be the coup leader, is still at large.
Benin’s constitution bars Talon from seeking a third term.
His preferred successor, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is widely viewed as the leading candidate in the April presidential election.
However, the main opposition party has been excluded from the race because its candidate did not obtain the required number of sponsorship endorsements a decision critics argue is part of Talon’s increasingly authoritarian approach.
Despite notable economic progress under Talon’s administration, analysts say democratic space has significantly narrowed in a country once considered one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.