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Benin Says It Foiled Military Coup Attempt — 14 Soldiers Arrested Amid Regional Instability

08:48 AM, 12/08/2025
Benin Says It Foiled Military Coup Attempt — 14 Soldiers Arrested Amid Regional Instability

Benin said it foiled an alleged military coup on Sunday and arrested 14 soldiers. The episode underscores growing democratic fragility in West Africa, where several recent coups have unsettled the region. Sahel-based insurgencies are also displacing millions and adding to instability. Although Benin had been viewed as relatively stable since 1972, critics say President Patrice Talon has suppressed dissent, a factor that may heighten domestic tensions.

Benin, a West African nation long regarded as one of the region's more stable democracies, said on Sunday that authorities had foiled an alleged military coup attempt and arrested 14 soldiers in connection with the plot.

The government described the action as a serious threat to national stability and vowed to pursue those responsible. Officials have not released further details about the plot or the identities of the suspects as investigations continue.

Regional Context

The incident highlights growing democratic fragility in West Africa, where militaries have seized power in several countries in recent years. Coups and attempted takeovers have been reported in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea, and a coup occurred last month in Guinea-Bissau.

At the same time, insurgent groups spreading out from the Sahel are displacing millions and contributing to instability across the region — pressures that have strained governments and security forces.

Domestic Political Climate

Benin had been seen as comparatively stable since its last successful coup in 1972. However, critics say President Patrice Talon has taken steps that suppress dissent and restrict political space, a dynamic that observers say can heighten tensions and erode democratic norms.

What’s next: Authorities say investigations are ongoing. International and regional partners may monitor developments as Benin addresses security and political concerns.

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