Freetown — Sierra Leonean soldiers were among a regional force deployed to Benin following a failed coup attempt, as West African leaders moved quickly to stabilise the country and protect democratic rule.
Benin’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, confirmed that about 200 soldiers from across the sub-region, mainly from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, were sent to Benin after the attempted takeover collapsed on Sunday. Troops from Sierra Leone and Ghana were also part of the Ecowas-backed security mission.
According to Beninese authorities, the coup failed after Nigeria provided air support, forcing rebel soldiers out of a military base and the state television station where they had announced their intention to seize power. This marks the first official confirmation of the number of foreign troops involved.
Bakari said some regional forces remain in Benin to assist with “sweep and clean-up” operations, while security agencies continue to track down those linked to the plot. The alleged leader of the failed coup is believed to have fled to neighbouring Togo.
The rebels claimed they acted out of frustration with President Patrice Talon’s leadership, accusing his government of failing to address rising insecurity in northern Benin.
Ecowas deployed troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to secure key locations and prevent further violence. Nigeria, which shares a border with Benin, described the coup attempt as a serious attack on democracy and said its forces arrived on Sunday.
Speaking in Abuja, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said the coup had already collapsed by the time Benin formally requested assistance, but added that swift military, diplomatic and intelligence cooperation helped ensure its failure without civilian casualties.
Talks are ongoing on how long the regional troops, including those from Sierra Leone, will remain in Benin. Any decision, Bakari said, will be taken jointly with Benin’s security forces.
The deployment comes amid growing concern over coups in West Africa, with Ecowas under pressure to demonstrate zero tolerance for the unconstitutional removal of elected governments. Sierra Leone has consistently supported Ecowas efforts to defend democracy and regional stability.
President Talon, who is serving his second and final term, is expected to step down next year, with elections scheduled for April. Had the coup succeeded, it would have been the ninth successful military takeover in West Africa in the past five years.
