🇧🇯 Gunfire to Calm: Benin's Swift Response to Political Turmoil
Benin President Patrice Talon announced Sunday that security forces successfully thwarted a coup attempt by rebel soldiers, declaring the situation 'under control' after hours of chaos in Cotonou. Loyalist troops reclaimed state TV and military positions in Operation Shield, ending the mutiny that briefly shook West Africa's stability champion.
🌍 Regional Ripple Effect
The failed coup comes amid growing political tensions across West Africa, where military takeovers have recently occurred in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau. ECOWAS swiftly deployed troops from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Ghana – a 'rapid response squad' showing renewed regional unity against power grabs.
🔊 Presidential Address: 'Treachery Will Be Punished'
In a televised statement, Talon praised security forces' bravery: 'Our defenders stood firm against these adventurers.' At least 14 suspects are in custody, with Nigerian fighter jets patrolling Beninese airspace as part of cross-border security cooperation.
📈 Why It Matters
Benin's political stability since the 1990s has made it a rare success story in the region. This attempted coup – the first since 1972 – tests its democratic resilience as neighboring nations grapple with military rule. Students and young professionals across Africa are watching closely as ECOWAS demonstrates its upgraded crisis response strategy.
