Presidential guard, two others arrested in Benin Republic for ‘coup’ plot

Three prominent men including a presidential guard commander have been arrested on suspicion of planning a coup detat in the West African nation. The other two accused of attempting a putsch are a former sports minister and a businessman close to President Patrice Talon. Elonm Mario Metonou, the special prosecutor at Benins court for financial crimes and terrorism, said the alleged coup was planned to take place on Friday, September 27. It appears the Republican Guard commander in charge of the presidents security was engaged by the minister Oswald Homeky and Olivier Boko in order to carry out a coup by force on September 27, 2024, the prosecutor said. The court said Homeky was detained at around 1:00 am on Tuesday, September 24, as he was handing over six bags of cash totalling 1.5 billion West African CFA francs ($2.5 million) to the commander, Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre. Boko, known as a longtime friend of President Patrice Talon, was arrested separately overnight Monday to Tuesday in Benins economic capital of Cotonou, the court said. He had recently started indicating that he would make a run for the presidency in 2026 when Talons second term in office ends and he is prohibited by the constitution from running again. In 2023, Homeky resigned as sports minister after urging support for Bokos bid to succeed Talon. Bokos lawyers and supporters denounced what they called his abduction and called for his immediate release. 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, the collective said. Bokos Objectif Benin 2026 (Target Benin) support group also condemned the arrest as a serious violation of fundamental rights and obvious political persecution. The post Presidential guard, two others arrested in Benin Republic for coup plot appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.