Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the attempted military coup in the Republic of Benin, describing it as a dangerous affront to democratic governance and a troubling trend in the West African sub-region.
A group of mutinous soldiers had on Sunday announced they had taken over government in the neighbouring country. Hours later, the Beninese presidency confirmed that President Patrice Talon was safe and that loyalist forces were regaining control.
Nigeria also played a supporting role, with the Nigerian Air Force conducting combat air patrols around Cotonou at the request of Benin’s authorities.
Reacting in a statement, Atiku said the resurgence of coups and attempted coups in West Africa is deeply concerning, especially at a time when military interference in politics has long been deemed unacceptable.
“I condemn, without reservation and in the strongest possible terms, the coup d’état in the Benin Republic,” he said.
He noted that the timing of recent military interventions — often coinciding with election cycles — raises questions about attempts to disrupt democratic processes.
“The Benin presidential election is scheduled for April 2026, while the purported military takeover in Guinea-Bissau happened on the eve of the expected announcement of the results of that country’s poll,” Atiku said.
He warned that some political actors may be exploiting the military to derail democratic outcomes.
“It raises fears that some political operators may be using the military to cancel the democratic processes,” he added.
The former vice-president said the growing pattern poses a significant threat to democratic stability in the region.
“This trend is dangerous for the health of democracy in the West African sub-region and must be stopped before it becomes the rule and not the exception,” he said.
Atiku reiterated that the military has no role in governance.
“Soldiers have no business anywhere outside their barracks, and every decisive measure must be taken to crush any emerging appetite for subverting democracy,” he said.
