Nigeria's Strong Stance: Condemnation of the Attempted Coup in Benin Republic

The Federal Government has denounced the attempted coup that occurred on Sunday in the Republic of Benin, characterizing it as a blatant attack on democracy and the collective will of the Beninese populace. In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria expressed its concern regarding the incident and reiterated its solidarity with the neighboring nation. "Nigeria stands firmly in solidarity with the Government and citizens of the Republic of Benin, and commends the prompt actions taken by Beninese authorities to safeguard its legitimate institutions and maintain peace," the statement indicated.

The ministry praised the Beninese security forces for thwarting the coup attempt. "We commend the bravery and professionalism exhibited by the Beninese security forces in upholding the constitutional order and ensuring the safety of the President," it continued. Nigeria cautioned that unconstitutional changes in government threaten regional stability and jeopardize democratic progress. As a member of ECOWAS and the African Union, Nigeria called upon other member states and international partners to denounce this development. "We urge all member states and the international community to come together in condemning this act and reaffirming our collective commitment to the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance," it stated. The Federal Government of Nigeria also called for calm in Benin and urged that political grievances be addressed through lawful means. "We encourage all parties in the Republic of Benin to remain composed, uphold the rule of law, and continue to express any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic channels," it emphasized. The statement further assured Benin of Nigeria’s ongoing cooperation in fostering peace and stability in West Africa.

The attempted coup was reported earlier on state television by a group identifying itself as the "Military Committee for Refoundation," which proclaimed President Patrice Talon re... Nevertheless, Talon’s office maintained that he was safe and that loyal troops were reestablishing order. The French embassy indicated that gunfire was heard near Camp Guezo, which is in proximity to the president’s residence, advising its citizens to remain indoors. This event occurs in the context of a series of recent coups in the area, including those in Niger, Burkina Faso and so on.