• A coup attempt in Benin led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was swiftly foiled.
• Casualties were reported on both sides, with several soldiers arrested.
• The fate of hostages, including senior military officers, remains uncertain.
• Nigerian and Ivorian troops supported Benin's military in quelling the coup.
• ECOWAS deployed a standby force to assist in restoring stability.

The apparent leader of a failed coup in Benin, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, remains on the run as the fate of hostages, believed to include senior military officers, is still unclear. On December 7, a group of soldiers calling themselves the Committee for Refoundation stormed the national television station, declaring the removal of President Patrice Talon, the dissolution of government institutions, and the suspension of the constitution. The coup attempt was quickly thwarted by Benin's military within hours, supported by Nigerian and Ivorian forces, resulting in calm returning to Cotonou, although the presence of soldiers remains heavy on the streets, according to LA Times and Africanews.

Casualties were reported on both sides of the conflict, although exact numbers remain unspecified. Government Secretary Edouard Ouin-Ouro confirmed that assaults occurred against President Talon’s forces early Sunday morning and subsequently detailed the ongoing efforts to hunt down the escaped mutineers. Reports further indicate that two senior officers who had been taken hostage were released amid the confrontation, highlighting a swift response from security forces, according to South China Morning Post and Africanews.

Amid the chaos, President Talon characterized the coup attempt as a “senseless adventure” and assured the public that measures would be taken against those responsible. He emphasized the prioritization of restoring safety amidst this turmoil. Furthermore, the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), has signaled its commitment to supporting democracy in the region by sending a contingent of troops, though the extent of their deployment remains unclear, according to Africanews and LA Times.

Benin’s recent history has been marked by issues surrounding electoral fairness and the robustness of democratic institutions under Talon’s governance. Observers have noted a stark decline in democracy, exacerbated by political maneuvers that have stifled opposition voices. The attempted coup has highlighted these deeper issues within Benin’s political landscape, making the situation increasingly precarious, with implications for regional stability amid a wave of coups across West Africa, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.