Hey friends, here’s the lowdown on what went down in Benin this past weekend… 🇧🇯
On Sunday night, President Patrice Talon announced that his government and the Beninese Armed Forces had crushed a coup attempt in Cotonou, the country’s hustle-and-bustle commercial hub.
Quick recap:
- Gunfire erupted in several neighbourhoods around 12 hours before Talon’s address
- A group of mutinous soldiers even took over the state TV and claimed power
- Elite forces loyal to Talon swooped in, recaptured key positions and cleared out the last pockets of resistance
"This treachery will not go unpunished," Talon declared, vowing justice for victims and anyone held by the mutineers.
At the government’s request, Nigeria sent fighter jets to secure Benin’s airspace and ground troops joined the push to reclaim the state TV network and a military camp. ECOWAS and the African Union were quick to condemn the mutiny, with ECOWAS mobilizing standby forces from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana.
Why this matters for our region 🌏:
- Democracy vibes: West Africa has seen coups in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali recently—Benin had been a rare stability champ since the 1990s.
- Global context: From Jakarta to Dhaka, we’re all feeling the ups and downs of political shifts and how they can impact everyday life.
This weekend’s events are a reminder that democracy needs constant vigilance—whether you’re tracking developments on Twitter in Singapore or chatting on WhatsApp groups in Kathmandu. Stay informed and stay engaged! ✊
Reference(s):
Benin's president says situation under control after coup attempt
cgtn.com
