African Union Commission chief Mahmoud Ali Yousouf on Sunday condemned an attempted military coup in Benin, calling it a blatant violation of the bloc’s core principles.
Yousouf said the AU “strongly and unequivocally” rejected any military interference in politics, stressing that the events in Benin breached the organisation’s frameworks against unconstitutional changes of government, including the Lomé Declaration and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
He urged the soldiers involved to halt “all illegal actions”, respect Benin’s constitution and return to their barracks. He also appealed to political and social actors in Benin to prioritise unity and dialogue.
The AU chief voiced alarm over what he described as a worrying rise in coups and attempted putsches in parts of the region, warning that they erode public trust, undermine democratic gains and threaten continental stability.
Yousouf reaffirmed the AU’s “zero-tolerance” stance on unconstitutional takeovers and reiterated support for President Patrice Talon and Benin’s legitimate authorities.
The AU, he said, stood ready to work with regional and international partners to help restore full constitutional order and reinforce democratic institutions in the West African nation.
Benin, once regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, has faced growing political tensions in recent years. President Patrice Talon, first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021, has been criticised by opponents for tightening his grip on power, limiting political competition and introducing reforms they say have weakened democratic checks.
Although the country has not experienced a successful coup since the early 1970s, West Africa has seen a resurgence of military takeovers since 2020, with putsches in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger. The African Union and ECOWAS have struggled to reverse many of those power grabs, raising concerns that coup attempts could spread in a region once considered relatively stable.
The attempted overthrow in Benin comes against that backdrop, adding to fears of further democratic backsliding and heightened security risks across the region.
Benin troops announce President’s ouster on state TV in apparent coup
