Ministers Convene in Abuja After Cotonou Coup Bid
Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, convened in Abuja on Thursday, December 11, 2025, for critical discussions on regional security. The high-level meeting, held at the office of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), followed a foiled coup attempt in Benin's administrative capital, Cotonou, just days prior on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Details of the Foiled Coup Attempt
The attempted coup in Cotonou saw a group of soldiers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation and led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, appear on state television to declare the dissolution of the government. Beninese President Patrice Talon's government swiftly requested military assistance to counter the mutiny. Nigeria played a pivotal role in quashing the rebellion, deploying the Nigerian Air Force for precision airstrikes and sending Nigerian ground forces into Benin. This marked Nigeria's first foreign military intervention since the 2017 Gambian constitutional crisis.
Discussions on Interconnected Security Challenges
During the meeting, Minister Tuggar underscored the interconnected nature of security challenges in the region. He stated that 'much of Nigeria's insecurity is exogenous' and emphasized that 'whatever happens in one country inevitably triggers ripple effects in the other.' Tuggar asserted that a 'coordinated regional response is no longer optional' for maintaining stability across West Africa.
Benin Expresses Gratitude for Nigerian Support
Minister Bakari conveyed Benin's gratitude for Nigeria's prompt and decisive support in thwarting the coup. He confirmed that Benin had specifically requested Nigerian military assistance, explaining that the coup plotters had taken positions in a 'very delicate zone,' necessitating 'precise aerial backup to carry out a surgical operation that targeted the enemy's key positions without risking civilian casualties.' Bakari also highlighted the importance of establishing a standby regional force to prevent future destabilization attempts and assured that the security situation in Benin is now fully under control.
Commitment to Regional Stability
Both ministers reaffirmed the strong working relationship between their nations and agreed that deeper cooperation is essential for sustaining peace in the region. The discussions at the ECOWAS office underscored a shared commitment to democratic governance and collective security in West Africa, with ECOWAS having condemned the coup attempt and ordered troop deployment.
5 Comments
Africa
The swift response from Nigeria was effective in protecting Benin's government. However, we must question the long-term sustainability of relying on external military aid for internal security.
Comandante
"Surgical operation"? Sounds like a cover-up for something. Who pays the bill?
Muchacha
Establishing a standby regional force sounds promising for collective security. But the logistical challenges and potential for misuse of such a force need to be thoroughly addressed before implementation.
Bermudez
Another foreign entanglement. Nigeria has enough internal issues.
Muchacho
It's good that West African nations are cooperating against coups, yet constant military intervention distracts from the root causes of instability, like poor governance and economic hardship.