标签： Africa

DAKAR, Senegal — West Africa finds itself trapped in a disturbing cycle of military interventions, with Benin becoming the latest nation to experience an attempted coup this Sunday. Soldiers briefly appeared on state television claiming power, only to have President Patrice Talon announce the thwarting of their efforts hours later. This incident follows closely on the heels of Guinea-Bissau’s recent military takeover after a contentious presidential election.

Since 2020, an alarming pattern has emerged across the continent with nine African nations experiencing successful or attempted coups. Analysis reveals this trend stems from compounding factors including deteriorating socioeconomic conditions, institutional fragility, and widespread dissatisfaction with civilian governments’ handling of security challenges.

Beverly Ochieng of Control Risks Group explains: “Throughout West Africa, where military forces maintain significant political involvement, persistent crises like insurgencies and economic hardships frequently motivate soldiers to intervene when they perceive civilian leadership as ineffective.”

The phenomenon extends beyond West Africa. Madagascar witnessed military leaders assuming control in October following youth-led demonstrations demanding President Andry Rajoelina’s resignation. Similarly, Gabon’s oil-rich government was toppled in 2023 when soldiers deposed long-ruling President Ali Bongo immediately after his contested electoral victory.

Chad, Guinea, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all experienced military takeovers in recent years. The Sahel region nations particularly struggle with extremist violence, with juntas often justifying their actions as necessary measures to restore security.

A striking pattern emerges in the colonial origins of affected nations. With exceptions including former British colony Sudan and Portuguese-colonized Guinea-Bissau, most recent coups have occurred in former French territories.

Bakary Sambe of the Timbuktu Institute notes: “Francophone Africa’s political systems, heavily influenced by France’s centralized presidential model combined with ongoing economic dependence, create conditions ripe for military intervention. Weak governance, corruption, and ineffective response to jihadist threats provide fertile ground for armies positioning themselves as national saviors.”

Conversely, former British colonies generally demonstrate greater stability. Sambe attributes this to “more decentralized institutions, diversified economies, and reduced external monetary control” inherited from British colonial administration.

Ochieng further elaborates: “Anglophone African nations typically maintain clearer separation between military, executive, and judicial powers. This institutional distinction creates more stable democratic transitions and reduces confusion about authority structures.”

As military rulers increasingly participate in elections themselves—as seen in Guinea where coup leader Mamady Doumbouya plans to run for presidency—the region faces fundamental questions about democratic consolidation and civilian governance.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed profound concern regarding an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power in the West African nation of Benin. The UN chief’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, issued an official statement on Sunday condemning the destabilizing actions that threatened democratic governance in the country.

Guterres emphasized the critical importance of maintaining constitutional order and the rule of law in Benin, warning that such attempts to undermine democratic institutions could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability throughout West Africa. The Secretary-General’s statement called for immediate respect for Benin’s constitutional framework and democratic processes.

In a related development, Benin’s Minister of Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou, confirmed that national armed forces successfully thwarted an attempted mutiny designed to destabilize the state and its governing institutions. The coordinated response by security forces prevented what could have escalated into a full-scale political crisis.

The attempted coup comes amid growing concerns about democratic backsliding in several West African nations, where military takeovers have recently occurred in neighboring countries. Benin, once celebrated as a model of democratic stability in the region, now faces heightened security tensions following this destabilizing attempt to seize power unconstitutionally.

Benin’s government has successfully suppressed a military mutiny after rebel soldiers attempted to seize power in the West African nation on Sunday. The crisis unfolded when armed insurgents stormed the national television station, appearing on state broadcasts to declare their takeover while gunfire erupted near the presidential residence in Cotonou.

President Patrice Talon confirmed the situation was ‘totally under control’ following intervention by regional ally Nigeria, whose fighter jets assisted in dislodging coup plotters from strategic locations. The operation included targeted airstrikes in Benin’s largest city, where substantial explosions were reported throughout Sunday afternoon.

Government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji disclosed that 14 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the attempted overthrow, including 12 who assaulted the television station headquarters. Among those detained is a previously dismissed soldier, while the alleged ringleader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, remains at large with an unknown number of hostages.

In his national address, President Talon commended loyalist forces for clearing ‘the last pockets of resistance’ and vowed that ‘this treachery will not go unpunished.’ The 67-year-old leader expressed condolences to victims affected by the violence while reassuring citizens that stability had been restored.

The coup attempt reflects broader regional instability, occurring just one week after Guinea-Bissau’s presidential overthrow. Benin had previously been regarded as one of Africa’s more stable democracies despite recent criticisms of Talon’s authoritarian tendencies and suppression of political opposition.

Rebel soldiers justified their actions by citing grievances over national security deterioration along Benin’s northern border with Niger and Burkina Faso, where jihadist militants have expanded their influence. Additional complaints included inadequate support for military families, healthcare reductions, and recent tax increases.

International responses included condemnations from ECOWAS and the African Union, while foreign embassies issued security alerts advising citizens to avoid Cotonou’s government district. The incident highlights growing regional security challenges as military regimes gain traction in neighboring Sahel states.