On Wednesday, the prosecutor of Bénin‘s Court of Repression of Economic and Terrorist Offenses (CRIET) revealed the detention of Djimon Dieudonné Tévoédjrè, commander of the Republican Guard, Oswald Homéky, former sports minister, and Olivier Boko, a prominent businessman and longtime presidential associate. Authorities allege these individuals conspired to stage a coup d’état on September 27, 2024, using funds allegedly routed through a Côte d’Ivoire-based bank account. The NSIA Côte d’Ivoire bank has since denied any involvement.

The arrests have thrust Bénin‘s political landscape into the spotlight, particularly regarding the 2026 presidential succession. Olivier Boko, 60, who has been a close friend of President Talon for two decades, has increasingly expressed political ambitions in recent months. His potential candidacy for the presidency, reportedly supported by Homéky, appears to have clashed with Talon’s preferences. The president, who has been in power since 2016, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term.

impact on Benin’s political stability

Political analysts suggest these developments signal a new phase in Bénin‘s preparations for the 2026 elections. Tiburce Adagbè, an analyst quoted by AFP, noted that the legal proceedings against Boko could significantly disrupt the succession race, stating: “We have entered a new phase in the march toward the 2026 general elections.”

Euloge Francis Atadé, a governance expert, highlighted regional instability, pointing to recent coups in neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. However, Gilles Gohy, a member of President Talon’s Union Progressiste le Renouveau party, urged calm, emphasizing trust in the judicial process.

public and political reactions

  • opposition response: The FCBE opposition party condemned the alleged coup attempt and reaffirmed its commitment to democratic electoral processes, while the Bloc Républicain, part of the ruling coalition, denounced the gravity of the accusations and any attempts to undermine democratic order.
  • support group backlash: The Objectif Bénin 2026 group, which supports Olivier Boko’s presidential ambitions, accused authorities of political persecution and violating fundamental rights, labeling the arrests as an unacceptable repressive tactic.
  • exiled opposition perspective: Valentin Djenontin, an opposition figure in exile, suggested that if Boko were formally charged, public demonstrations in support of President Talon could emerge, reinforcing his position as the dominant political figure.

President Talon has faced criticism in recent years for what opponents describe as an authoritarian shift in a country once praised for its democratic dynamism. The arrests and subsequent legal proceedings have intensified scrutiny of Bénin‘s political trajectory as it navigates regional instability and domestic challenges ahead of the 2026 elections.