Hundreds of young demonstrators flooded the streets of Cotonou, the capital of the Benin Republic, on Saturday to condemn last Sunday’s failed military coup and reaffirm support for democracy and constitutional order.
Waving national flags and chanting slogans like “Never Again,” the protesters demanded peace, stability, and an end to the era of unconstitutional power grabs.
“We are attached to a certain kind of democracy, which means power has to be won through elections,” said Youssouf Issa, an entrepreneur and candidate in the upcoming legislative polls scheduled for January.
The rally was one of the first major public responses since the attempted coup, which saw a group of mutineers briefly claim on national television that President Patrice Talon had been ousted. The army, backed by Nigerian and French forces, swiftly foiled the attempt.
Popular social media influencer Elias Satowakou, also known as Gros Griot, referenced Benin’s turbulent political history during the 1960s and 70s.
“Our parents learned from this. We fear that coups will lead to total destruction and push us back 30 years,” he said.
Dieudonne N’Boa, a political science student at the rally, added, “The message is also for the countries in the region, never again military coups.”
The failed coup in Benin comes amid a troubling wave of military takeovers in West Africa. Since 2020, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau have all experienced military coups, raising regional and international concerns.
“I was very afraid my country would descend into instability. It is important to preserve the gains of the last ten years,” said another protester, Fridaousse Iffabi.
President Patrice Talon, expected to step down after two terms when presidential elections are held in April, has received commendation for driving economic growth over the past decade. However, critics accuse him of repressing the opposition.
His Finance Minister and chosen successor, Romuald Wadagni, is widely tipped to win the presidency, especially after the main opposition party was barred from contesting due to failing to secure the required number of endorsements.
In the aftermath of the foiled coup, Benin issued an international arrest warrant for Kemi Seba, a well-known pan-Africanist and anti-Western activist, accusing him of “justifying crimes against state security and inciting rebellion.”
Former Defence Minister and opposition figure Candide Azannai has also been detained on charges of “conspiracy against state authority and incitement to rebellion,” according to judicial sources.
Meanwhile, the alleged coup mastermind, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, remains at large along with several of his collaborators.
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