Benin Republic coup aimed to truncate democracy, failed woefully,

The Federal Government of Nigeria said the coup in neighboring Benin Republic failed woefully, condemning the coup platters.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, denounce the coup on Sunday, and confirmed that the “Coup in Benin Fails, Mutineers in military uniform, who attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon’s democratic government on Sunday in the Republic of Benin, have failed.

“The mutineers seized the National TV after failing to enter President Talon’s residence.

“The latest report from Cotonou said the National Guard has taken control of the situation and surrounded the television station.”

According to 24 Hours In Benin, discussions are underway with the mutineers, now holed up inside the station”.

However, a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigeria expressed concern over the incident and reaffirmed its solidarity with the neighbouring Benin Republic.

It described the coup as a direct assault on democracy and the collective will of the Beninese people.

“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 ministry commended the Beninese security forces for repelling the attempt.

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

Nigeria warned that unconstitutional changes of government pose a threat to regional stability and undermine democratic gains.

As a member of ECOWAS and the African Union, Nigeria urged other member states and international partners to condemn the development.

“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,” it said.

The Federal Government of Nigeria also appealed for calm in Benin and called for political grievances to be resolved through 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,” it stated.

The statement assured Benin of Nigeria’s continued cooperation in promoting peace and stability in West Africa.

The attempted coup was announced earlier on state television by a group identifying itself as the “Military Committee for Refoundation”, which declared President Patrice Talon removed from office.

However, Talon’s office insisted he remained secure and that loyal forces were restoring order.

The French embassy reported gunfire near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s residence, urging its nationals to stay indoors.

The incident comes amid a wave of recent coups in the region, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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