The Federal Government has strongly condemned the attempted coup in the Benin Republic on Sunday, describing it as a direct assault on democracy and the collective will of the Beninese people.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria expressed concern over the incident and reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Benin.

“Nigeria stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of the Republic of Benin, and applauds the swift action taken by Beninese authorities to protect its legitimate institutions and preserve the peace,” the statement read.

The Nigerian government commended the prompt and decisive action taken by Beninese security forces in repelling the attempted coup.

“We commend the courage and professionalism of the Beninese security forces in defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the President,” the statement added.

Nigeria also emphasised the significant threat that unconstitutional changes of government pose to regional stability, underlining the importance of safeguarding democratic processes.

As a member of ECOWAS and the African Union, Nigeria urged all member states and international partners to unite in condemning the attempted coup.

“We call on all member states and the international community to unite in condemning this act and reaffirming our shared commitment to the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,” the statement read.

The Nigerian government also appealed for calm in Benin, urging political grievances to be resolved through peaceful and lawful means.

“We urge all parties in the Republic of Benin to remain calm, uphold the rule of law, and continue to channel any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic means,” the statement said.

The statement concluded by assuring the Republic of Benin of Nigeria’s continued cooperation in promoting peace and stability in West Africa.

The attempted coup was first announced on state television by a group identifying itself as the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” which claimed that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. However, Talon’s office quickly dismissed the claim, insisting that he remained secure and that loyal forces were working to restore order.

The French embassy in Benin reported gunfire near Camp Guezo, located close to the president’s residence, advising its nationals to remain indoors as a precaution.

This attempted coup comes amid a troubling wave of military takeovers in the region, including in countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau. President Talon, who has been in power since 2016, is due to leave office in April 2026 at the end of his second and final term.

ECOWAS has also condemned the attempted coup, pledging readiness to take necessary measures to address the situation and preserve democratic governance in the region.

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