Fourteen Arrested in Benin Over Alleged Coup Plot

Breaking: 14 Arrested After Failed Coup Attempt in Benin

Fourteen suspects have been detained in connection with an attempted coup in Benin, officials confirmed Sunday. Earlier that day,a faction of soldiers broadcast on national television that they had seized control of the government,a claim that was swiftly repudiated by the presidency.

Timeline of Events

Time (GMT)	Event	Location	Key Figures
06:30	Soldiers appear on state TV announcing takeover	Porto‑Novo, benin	Unidentified military unit
07:15	Presidential spokesperson denies coup, calls it a “false alarm”	Presidency Press room	Government spokesperson
08:45	Security forces arrest 14 individuals linked to the plot	Various locations across benin	Police and intelligence officers

official Response

The government’s spokesperson told Reuters that the arrests were part of a “rapid and coordinated” operation to neutralize the threat. no casualties have been reported, and the president has called for national unity.

Expert Insight

Ber­v­erly Ochieng, senior analyst at Control risk’s Global Risk Analysis unit in Dakar, Senegal, noted that “Benin’s political environment has remained relatively stable compared with neighboring states, but this incident underscores lingering vulnerabilities in the security sector.”

Did You Know? West Africa has experienced at least five coup attempts or successful coups as 2020,including in Mali,Burkina faso,Guinea,Niger and Sudan,raising concerns about regional stability.

Pro Tip: Travelers to Benin should monitor advisories from their home‑country foreign‑affairs ministries and register with local embassies for real‑time updates.

Evergreen Context

While Benin has enjoyed a reputation for democratic governance since the early 1990s, the episode highlights the importance of robust civil‑military relations. Nations in the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) have pledged mutual assistance to deter unconstitutional changes of power,a policy that may influence how Benin addresses future threats.

Analysts suggest that strengthening oversight of the armed forces, improving intelligence sharing, and promoting clear political dialog are essential steps to safeguard democratic institutions across the region.

Reader Engagement

What impact could this failed coup have on Benin’s upcoming elections? How might ECOWAS respond if similar attempts arise elsewhere in West Africa?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary keyword for this story? Benin attempted coup.
• How manny people were arrested? Fourteen individuals were taken into custody.
• When did the soldiers claim to have seized power? The claim was aired on national TV early Sunday morning.
• Who provided analysis on the incident? Beverly Ochieng,senior analyst at Control Risk’s Global Risk Analysis in Dakar.
• Is Benin prone to coups? Benin has been comparatively stable, but the recent event shows underlying security challenges.
• What should travelers do? Follow official travel advisories and stay informed through local embassies.
• How does ECOWAS handle coups? ECOWAS has a protocol to condemn and, if necessary, intervene against unconstitutional changes of government.

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