Benin Republic foils ‘coup attempt’, arrests commander, ex-minister

Benin Republic prosecutors say they have foiled a suspected coup attempt scheduled to take place on Friday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Elonm Metonou, special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, said Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, was caught Tuesday night handing over six bags of cash to Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the republican guard and head of President Patrice Talon’s security.

Metonou said the bag contained 1.5 billion West African CFA francs (about $2.5 million).

Authorities said the suspects opened a bank account in Côte d’Ivoire under the commander’s name on August 6, adding that the money was transported in Homeky’s Toyota Prado, which bore fake license plates.

Olivier Boko, businessman and Talon’s longtime friend who was arrested separately on Monday, was in on the plot, according to the statement.

Boko was arrested in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital. The businessman had recently started making known his plans to run for the presidency in 2026, when Talon’s second term in office ends.

According to investigators, Homeky and Boko paid off the military commander to not resist the planned coup.

Metonou said investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects.

Since 2020, neighboring countries have experienced eight successful military takeovers and several attempts.

Talon, who has led Benin since 2016, faces criticism for what critics say is becoming an increasingly authoritarian rule.

Some observers argue that his policies have eroded democratic standards in the country.