Some 200 West African soldiers, primarily from Nigeria and Ivory Coast, have arrived in Benin to support the government after a failed coup on Sunday. The insurrection was thwarted when Nigeria deployed fighter jets to counter rebel forces who had attempted to seize a military base and state media HQ. Benin's Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, confirmed that regional troops remain in the country for a 'sweep and clean-up operation.'
Regional collaboration intensified after the coup attempt, referred to as a 'direct assault on democracy' by Nigeria's representatives. The soldiers are part of a broader deployment by the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, which aims to secure critical installations and mitigate further violence.
Authorities have commenced a manhunt for the coup organizers, with reports indicating the leader may have fled to Togo. Despite the turmoil, Bakari highlighted that the Beninese army successfully pushed back the coup plotters before significant assistance was summoned. The situation underscores the escalating tensions within West Africa, as international forces rally to protect democratic governance in a region facing increasing military takeovers.
Regional collaboration intensified after the coup attempt, referred to as a 'direct assault on democracy' by Nigeria's representatives. The soldiers are part of a broader deployment by the West African regional bloc, Ecowas, which aims to secure critical installations and mitigate further violence.
Authorities have commenced a manhunt for the coup organizers, with reports indicating the leader may have fled to Togo. Despite the turmoil, Bakari highlighted that the Beninese army successfully pushed back the coup plotters before significant assistance was summoned. The situation underscores the escalating tensions within West Africa, as international forces rally to protect democratic governance in a region facing increasing military takeovers.
