Why Nigeria and Neighbours Rushed to Stop Benin’s Coup — And Why Others Stayed Out

When mutinous soldiers in Benin declared a takeover over the weekend, the civilian government did not fall. President Patrice Talon was not captured and immediately requested help — a call that prompted rapid military support from Nigeria and promises of reinforcements from other ECOWAS states, while France provided surveillance and logistical assistance.

What Happened

Benin’s government successfully pushed back a coup attempt with the assistance of Nigerian air strikes and troops. Leaders from Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone pledged additional support through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Beninese officials formally requested assistance, and Nigeria responded quickly — a response officials say was coordinated with ECOWAS partners.

Why Nigeria Acted Fast

Analysts and diplomats point to several intertwined reasons for Nigeria’s swift intervention. First, President Talon remained at liberty and was able to ask for outside help, creating a narrow but decisive window for intervention. Second, Benin shares deep economic and security ties with Nigeria: instability in Benin could spill across the border and complicate Abuja’s own fight against jihadist violence and other security threats.

"Unrest in Benin poses a direct risk to Nigeria's economic and security priorities," said Usman Ibrahim of SARI Global.

The Regional Context

ECOWAS’s response in Benin contrasts with its more limited actions in other recent crises. The 2023 coup in Niger, for example, produced sanctions and threats of intervention that failed to restore civilian rule; Niger’s junta subsequently left ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with Mali and Burkina Faso. Regional leaders told AFP they wanted to avoid repeating that perceived mistake.

Another fear was that Benin’s putschists might join the AES — expanding a breakaway bloc already at odds with neighbours and posing new security headaches.

France’s Role

At Benin’s request, France supplied surveillance, observation and logistical support to the Beninese armed forces, an aide to President Emmanuel Macron said. Observers note the operation also reflects growing security cooperation between Abuja and Paris.

Critiques and Limits

Despite the decisive action in Benin, critics argue ECOWAS remains selective: it reacts forcefully in some cases but issues only statements when civilian leaders extend term limits, rewrite constitutions or clamp down on dissent without a coup. Recent events in Guinea-Bissau, which drew diplomatic protests rather than military responses, highlight this inconsistency.

What It Means

The Benin episode offered Nigeria a chance to protect immediate security and economic interests, deter the spread of military rule to a strategically important neighbour, and regain influence in West Africa. Yet analysts caution that the response is unlikely to create a uniform ECOWAS playbook; instead, it underscores politically calculated, case-by-case engagement.