Next Africa Why A Failed Coup Signals Escalating Risk in West Africa
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Dec 11, 2025 Katarina Hoije, Bloomberg's West Africa correspondent, shares her insights on the foiled coup in Benin. She details the swift regional intervention led by Nigeria and the timing of ECOWAS's decisive action, contrasting it with previous inaction. Katarina analyzes Nigeria's motivations for military involvement and discusses the rising trend of coups in West Africa since 2020, attributing it to political instability and youth discontent. She also highlights potential future hotspots and the implications for upcoming elections in the region.
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Botched Coup In Cotonou
- Soldiers attacked a military base in Cotonou and raided an arms cache, then announced on state TV they'd ousted the president.
- President Patrice Talon was never arrested and spoke to Nigeria's president as fighter jets struck mutineers later that day.
Politics Drive ECOWAS Responses
- ECOWAS reacted far more quickly than in previous coups because Benin is seen as relatively stable and politically important.
- The bloc's response still appears driven by political calculations, not a consistent rulebook.
France's Strategic Coastal Interest
- France provided intelligence and logistics because it has retained ties with coastal states unlike Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
- Protecting coastal interests and preventing Sahel spillover underpins Paris's involvement.