Benin prosecutors announced the arrest of three prominent figures, including a former minister and the commander of the presidential guard, on suspicion of planning a coup d’etat.
Those accused are the Republican Guard commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre, a former sports minister, Oswald Homeky, and Olivier Boko, a businessman and longtime friend of President Patrice Talon.
According to the special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, Elonm Mario Metonou, the alleged coup was set to take place on September 27, 2024.
Metonou stated, “It appears the Republican Guard commander in charge of the president’s security was engaged by the minister Oswald Homeky and Olivier Boko in order to carry out a coup by force on September 27, 2024.”
Homeky was detained at 1:00 am on Tuesday while handing over 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to Tevoedjre. Boko was arrested separately in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital, after indicating his intention to run for presidency in 2026.
Boko’s lawyers and supporters condemned his arrest as “abduction” and demanded his immediate release. His lawyers expressed concern about Boko’s condition, saying, “As this press conference is being held, it is not possible for his family or us, his lawyers, to know where and in what condition is Mr Boko, who likely does not have access to food and above all his medications.”
Boko’s Objectif Benin 2026 support group also denounced the arrest as “a serious violation of fundamental rights” and “obvious political persecution.” Critics argue that Benin has become increasingly authoritarian under President Talon’s rule since 2016.
Recently, online critic Steve Amoussou was detained and ordered to stand trial on allegations of publishing falsehoods and “inciting rebellion.”
Benin’s security forces are on high alert due to jihadist violence spilling across its borders from the Sahel region, which has led to military coups in neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
