<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish government has expressed its “strong condemnation of the attempted coup in Benin” and has demanded “the immediate restoration of democratic and constitutional order.”</strong></h4> “Spain is firmly committed to democracy in Benin and hopes for a swift restoration of institutional normality,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release on Monday. “The Spanish government is monitoring the situation of Spaniards in the country through the Spanish Embassy in Abuja and the Spanish Consulate General in Lagos, which are taking appropriate measures depending on how events unfold,” it concluded. A group of soldiers attempted to overthrow Benin's President Patrice Talon on Sunday, but the coup attempt was ultimately thwarted by the Beninese army with military support from Nigeria. The military intended to establish a military junta (“Military Committee for Refounding”) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, but the “small group of soldiers” that attempted to “destabilize the State and its institutions” was ultimately subdued thanks to the actions of “the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, faithful to their oath,” according to Interior Minister Alassane Seidoy. So far, twelve people have been arrested, including the perpetrators of the attempted coup. Talon, 67, who has been president since 2016, will leave office after the April 2026 elections, when his second term ends. Benin’s Constitution does not allow for a third term. In the last five years, there have been several coups or attempted coups in West Africa. The most recent took place a week ago in Guinea-Bissau, with the overthrow of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló during the presidential election vote count. In addition, similar situations have occurred in Mali (twice), Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. During this period, Andry Rajoelina was also overthrown in Madagascar (southeast Africa).
