A senior government official in Benin has revealed to the BBC that Lt Col Pascal Tigri, the leader of the recent failed coup, is taking refuge in nearby Togo. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that the Beninese government intends to seek Tigri's extradition, though Togo's response remains unconfirmed.
The coup attempt transpired amid growing concerns over the state of democracy in West Africa, where military takeovers have become more frequent. It was halted after Nigeria deployed fighter jets to aid Benin's government in regaining control over a military base and the state television offices.
In the early hours of Sunday, a group of soldiers announced their takeover on state TV, leading to gunfire near the presidential residence. The intervention from Nigerian and French forces was acknowledged by Benin's republican guard, which is responsible for the president's security.
The government's spokesperson confirmed that only a small faction of National Guard troops was involved in the coup attempt, emphasizing that this group questioned President Patrice Talon's leadership, particularly regarding the security crisis in northern Benin, where jihadist insurgencies have gained ground.
Togo's location as a neighboring country, along with its membership in the regional bloc ECOWAS, complicates the situation further. The bloc has expressed strong opposition to the coup attempt and is now deploying troops from multiple West African nations to bolster security in Benin.
President Talon, who has held power since 2016, is set to leave office after the upcoming elections in April. Despite being praised for his economic policies, he faces criticism for stifling political dissent and excluding opposition leaders from the electoral process.
This coup attempt marks yet another sign of instability in West Africa, following similar military takeovers in Burkina Faso and Guinea, raising alarms over the region's democratic future.
