COTONOU, Benin — France officially disclosed on Tuesday that it furnished surveillance, observation and logistical assistance to Benin’s armed forces to help fend off last weekend’s attempted coup.
The Elysee Palace confirmed that following the destabilization attempt, President Emmanuel Macron engaged in significant diplomatic activity.
A statement noted that President Macron “led a coordination effort” and held discussions with Benin’s President Patrice Talon, as well as representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Paris explicitly condemned the coup attempt and offered its complete political backing to ECOWAS.
The attempted takeover unfolded on Sunday when a faction of soldiers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, seized the state television station to announce their action. However, state authorities successfully foiled the plot just hours later.
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In response, the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, mobilized a standby force, drawing troops from member nations including Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone.
On Monday, Beninese authorities reported multiple casualties on both sides and confirmed the arrest of several soldiers involved.
The alleged ringleader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who was a former member of President Talon’s protection detail, remains at large.
