Benin Republic Detains Former Defense Minister Over Alleged Role in Failed Coup

Benin Republic has placed a former defence minister and leading opposition figure, Candide Azannai, in pre-trial detention in connection with investigations into the failed coup attempt earlier this month.

According to an AFP journalist, Azannai was ordered into custody on Saturday after being accused of plotting against the state and inciting rebellion. He was arrested last week at his party’s headquarters in Cotonou, despite having publicly condemned the attempted overthrow.

His remand followed several hours of questioning at Benin’s anti-terrorism court. Police escorted him from the court premises at dawn before transferring him to detention, an AFP reporter said.

Azannai’s detention marks the latest development in the aftermath of the December 7 coup attempt. Earlier this week, about 30 people, most of them soldiers, were jailed on treason charges linked to the plot.

During the incident, mutinous soldiers briefly appeared on national television claiming they had overthrown President Patrice Talon. Loyalist forces, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, quickly regained control and crushed the uprising.

Several people were reportedly killed during the clashes, while some suspects, including the alleged leader of the plot, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, remain at large.

President Talon, who has been credited by supporters for driving economic growth, has faced criticism from opponents and rights groups who accuse his government of increasing authoritarian tendencies in a country once regarded as a model of democratic stability.

Benin has also been grappling with rising jihadist attacks in its northern regions in recent years.

Talon is expected to step down in April after completing the constitutionally mandated two terms in office.