Three males in Benin have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup, together with a former minister and the person answerable for President Patrice Tallon’s safety, state prosecutors mentioned.
Former sports activities minister Oswald Khomki was arrested on Tuesday whereas handing over six baggage of cash to the top of the Republican Guard, Elon Mario Metonou, prosecutors advised a information convention.
Investigators say Colonel Djimon Dieudonné-Tvoéger was bribed to stop him from resisting a deliberate coup within the small West African nation on Friday.
Additionally detained was Olivier Boko, a businessman – a pal of President Talon – who lately mentioned he had political ambitions.
Mr Boko’s attorneys and supporters condemned what they referred to as a “kidnapping” and referred to as for his rapid launch.
Prosecutors mentioned the investigation is ongoing to determine extra suspects.
Human rights teams say Benin, as soon as often called a multi-party democracy, has change into extra authoritarian below Patrice Tallon’s presidency.
President Tallon has introduced that he is not going to search re-election for a 3rd time period within the 2026 elections.
Since 2020, there have been eight navy takeovers and a number of other different coup makes an attempt in West and Central Africa.
