Authorities in Benin Republic have arrested three men suspected of orchestrating a coup attempt. Learn more about the arrest and the potential political implications for the country.
Benin prosecutors announced on Wednesday that three prominent figures, including the commander of the presidential guard, have been arrested for allegedly plotting a coup d’etat in the West African nation. The other suspects are a former sports minister, Oswald Homeky, and a businessman, Olivier Boko, who is known to be close to President Patrice Talon.
Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, revealed that the coup attempt was planned for Friday, September 27, 2024. According to the prosecutor, the Republican Guard commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre, who is responsible for the president’s security, was recruited by Homeky and Boko to execute the coup.
The arrests occurred early in the week, with Homeky being detained at around 1:00 am on Tuesday as he allegedly handed over six bags containing a total of 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to Tevoedjre. Boko, a longtime associate of President Talon, was arrested separately overnight in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital. Boko had recently hinted at his intention to run for the presidency in 2026, as Talon’s second term concludes, and the constitution bars him from seeking a third term.
In 2023, Homeky resigned as sports minister after endorsing Boko’s potential presidential candidacy. Following the arrests, Boko’s legal team and supporters denounced what they described as his “abduction” and demanded his immediate release. In a statement, his lawyers expressed concern about his whereabouts, stating that neither his family nor his legal team had been informed of his location or condition. They also raised concerns about his access to food and essential medication.
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Boko’s *Objectif Benin 2026* (“Target Benin”) support group, named after his initials, condemned his arrest, calling it a “serious violation of fundamental rights” and accusing the government of “obvious political persecution.” The group’s statement adds to concerns about increasing authoritarianism in Benin, which was once regarded as a beacon of multi-party democracy in West Africa.
Since President Patrice Talon took office in 2016, critics have accused his administration of becoming more repressive. In August, Steve Amoussou, an online critic of the president, was arrested and is set to stand trial later this year on charges of spreading falsehoods and “inciting rebellion,” according to judicial sources.
Benin’s security forces have been on high alert due to the escalating threat of jihadist violence spilling over from the Sahel region, where extremist groups have destabilized neighboring countries. The rising insecurity in West Africa has led to military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Benin, like these neighboring countries, is grappling with the growing challenges posed by militant groups and political instability in the region.
