Benin settles after failed coup attempt, but regional concerns remain

"Loyalist troops aided by Nigeria's air force foiled Sunday's putsch, but confidence in the nation's democratic stability is shaken. Cotonou, Benin The Dantokpa market in Cotonou is once again a whirlwind of activity, just days after a failed bid to topple the Beninese government. Pedestrians and cart pushers jostle in the narrow streets, a sign that daily life is returning to normal following the brief but intense crisis."

"The crisis began on Sunday morning when a group of soldiers seized the national television station and announced the deposition of President Patrice Talon. However, the attempted coup was swiftly defeated by forces loyal to the president, critically supported by the Nigerian Air Force. While former colonial power France and regional country Ivory Coast offered Benin support, Nigerian forces, alongside loyalist troops, were instrumental in quashing the rebellion."

"Nigeria deployed military jets to target the mutineers, as forces loyal to Benin's president surrounded a base where the plotters had holed up. This coordinated action forced the coup leaders to retreat from both the state television station they had occupied and the presidential palace they had tried to take by force. By Sunday afternoon, the interior minister had released a statement saying Beninese army leadership had foiled the attempt. And that evening, Talon appeared on state television promising to punish those responsible."

Loyalist troops, with critical support from the Nigerian Air Force, foiled a putsch after soldiers seized the national television station and announced President Patrice Talon's deposition. Nigerian military jets targeted mutineers while loyalist forces surrounded a base where plotters were holed up, forcing them to retreat from the television station and an attempted attack on the presidential palace. The interior minister said army leadership had foiled the attempt, and President Talon appeared on state television promising to punish those responsible and urging calm. Markets and daily life in Cotonou are returning to normal, but confidence in Benin's democratic stability is shaken.

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