Benin’s foiled coup plot raises questions about president talon’s 2026 succession

On Wednesday, the prosecutor from Benin’s Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) confirmed the arrests of Djimon Dieudonné Tévoédjrè, commander of the Republican Guard; Oswald Homéky, a former minister; and prominent businessman Olivier Boko. These individuals were detained between Monday and Tuesday nights, facing allegations of plotting a “coup d’état” in the West African nation of 13 million residents. Reports indicate that Commander Tévoédjrè has since been released.

The CRIET prosecutor alleged that Boko and Homéky established a bank account with NSIA Côte d’Ivoire, designated for the Republican Guard commander, with the intention of executing a “coup d’état” on September 27, 2024. However, NSIA Côte d’Ivoire has categorically denied the existence of any such account opened by or for the commander of Benin’s Republican Guard.

Read also:

In Benin, arrest of a businessman close to the president

Olivier Boko, a 60-year-old entrepreneur heading the Denrées et fournitures alimentaires (DFA) group, has maintained a close friendship with President Patrice Talon for two decades. Often described as the president’s “right-hand man,” Boko has never held an official position within the presidential administration. However, in recent months, he began openly signaling his political aspirations, hinting at a potential bid for the presidency in 2026. This move reportedly caused friction with Patrice Talon, who, having been in power since 2016, will complete his second and constitutionally mandated final term in 2026.

a “new phase” in Benin politics

Political analyst Tiburce Adagbè observed, “We have just entered a new phase on the road to the 2026 general elections.” He suggested that if the legal proceedings unfold as expected, one of the accused, “a major contender in the race for Patrice Talon’s succession,” referring to Olivier Boko, would face significant challenges. Governance expert Euloge Francis Atadé highlighted the “unstable sub-regional geopolitical environment” as a factor. In recent years, several West African nations, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have experienced coups d’état, with military forces overthrowing democratically elected presidents.

Conversely, Gilles Gohy, a political bureau member of the Union progressiste le Renouveau party and a staunch supporter of President Talon, expressed no concerns, urging confidence in the judicial process. “Let justice run its course (…) Let’s remain calm,” he stated. Valentin Djenontin, an exiled opposition figure, offered a different perspective, warning that “if the prosecutor were to issue an arrest warrant against Olivier Boko, I would not be surprised to see solidarity marches in honor of Talon, who will remain the sole master on board.”

The opposition party FCBE unequivocally “condemned this coup attempt and reiterated its opposition to any form of seizing power through means other than the ballot box.” Similarly, the Bloc Republicain, a party aligned with the ruling government, voiced its dismay over “the extreme gravity of the alleged facts,” condemning “any notion of destabilization and any action aimed at undermining democratic order.”

Following Mr. Boko’s arrest, his 2026 presidential campaign support group, Objectif Bénin 2026 (OB26), on Tuesday denounced the actions as “a grave violation of fundamental rights,” “clear political persecution,” and “unacceptable repressive tactics.” President Talon frequently faces accusations from critics of steering the nation towards authoritarianism, a stark contrast to Benin’s past reputation for vibrant democracy.