Africa Watch – Power heist

Benin’s state prosecutor said on Wednesday that a former sports minister and a prominent businessman have been detained on suspicion of plotting a coup. Ex-sports minister Oswald Homeky was caught at night handing over six bags of cash to the head of the republican guard, who is also in charge of President Patrice Talon’s security. Investigators said they found that Homeky and Beninese businessman Olivier Boko had paid off the military commander not to resist a coup d’etat planned for 27 September. Boko and the commander were also detained and investigations are ongoing to identify other suspects, prosecutor Elon’m Mario Metonou said in a statement.

The West African region remains susceptible to coups, driven by waning trust in democratic governance and worsening economic conditions. While countries like Benin have enjoyed relative stability in recent decades, the ripple effects of coups in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso suggest that military takeovers remain a tangible threat. However, there are speculations that this coup announcement in Benin may be a strategic move by Talon to extend his tenure, which expires in 2026. Talon’s history of consolidating power and repressing opposition figures has raised concerns about Benin’s democratic stability.

Since taking office in 2016, Talon has used the justice system to target his opponents, and electoral rules have enabled him to maintain control. The country has experienced deadly police violence, arrests of activists, and restrictions on civil liberties. Recently, key critic Steve Amousso was arrested in the Togolese capital of Lome. The Republican Guard Commander’s arrest highlights the growing involvement of presidential guards in politics. This development, alongside concerns about the coup plot, will likely influence the political opposition’s behaviour. Instead of challenging the existing political landscape, the opposition is expected to focus on preparing for the 2026 presidential elections, which Talon has pledged not to participate in.

Benin’s democratic stability remains uncertain, with the country ranked “partly free” on Freedom House’s index. The situation in Benin has regional implications, and the country’s stability is crucial for West Africa’s overall security. The upcoming presidential elections will be a critical test for Benin’s democratic resilience. Further afield, many African countries, such as Ghana and Nigeria, are witnessing rising protests. The root causes of these protests—ranging from economic hardship to dissatisfaction with governance—are often shared across borders, creating a regional environment ripe for instability. The inability of ECOWAS leaders to decisively address the coup leaders in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali has further emboldened potential plotters. As a result, the region remains vulnerable to democratic backsliding and continued military intervention.