The specialized court CRIET (Cour de Répression des Infractions Économiques et du Terrorisme) has issued new international arrest warrants against people accused of involvement in activities aimed at destabilizing Benin’s constitutional framework. As La Nation reports, activist Kémi Seba and political leader Sabi Sira Korogoné are among the main targets in the crackdown following the failed coup attempt. These orders increase pressure on the opposition spectrum, which is experiencing tightening government controls. In this context, Candide Azzanai, former deputy defense minister and leader of the Restore Hope party, was arrested during a party meeting on suspicion of conspiring against state power and inciting rebellion, as reported by both La Nation and Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Azzanai’s arrest is part of an intensified state response following last week’s coup attempt. According to information from both media outlets, Patrice Talon’s government increased patrols, expanded trials and launched new operations to identify and locate people linked to the preparation of the coup. Surveillance of dissident actors, especially opposition leaders and citizen movements, increased significantly and led to a stricter control system.
The failed coup occurred in the early hours of Sunday when an armed group barricaded themselves in the Togbin barracks on the outskirts of Cotonou. According to Radio France Internationale, the attackers tried to take over the military structure and managed to occupy the state television antenna for a few hours and announce the dismissal of the head of state. The operation was responded to with the intervention of Beninese security forces, air support from Nigeria and support from French intelligence services, which allowed the restoration of institutional control within hours, according to La Nation.
Measures taken after the coup included tightening controls on political activities and judicializing opponents. Judicial pressure and police surveillance were particularly directed against the Restore Hope party, whose leader Azzanai was arrested during an internal operation. According to spokespersons and experts consulted by RFI, as reported by La Nation, this party has maintained a critical stance towards President Talon and has been under constant surveillance by state authorities. Analysts believe that the recent arrests of several opponents have created an environment in which the political options of dissident groups are limited.
Kémi Seba, one of the main targets of the recent arrest warrants, is under investigation for alleged actions aimed at changing Benin’s constitutional structure. According to La Nation, Seba has local and international ties to supporting military coups in other African countries and promoting Russian influence in the region. According to reports collected by RFI, opposition leader Sabi Sira Korogoné is also on the wanted list after being accused of trying to undermine government order.
The tightening of surveillance measures, the issuance of international arrest warrants and the expansion of search operations have influenced the country’s political dynamics. According to the above-mentioned media, both local and international organizations constantly monitor the development of legal processes as well as the conditions and rights of the detained or wanted persons. Human rights organizations have expressed concern about the impact these measures could have on the protection of legal guarantees and democratic spaces, given the tensions and uncertainty that have arisen following the attempted coup.
The tightening of state control in Benin has created an atmosphere of alarm among the opposition and its sympathizers, who denounce restrictions on political exercise and a siege on their civil liberties. Investigations and police operations remained active, with a focus on consolidating the identification and subsequent arrest of those suspected of inciting the military uprising.
The post-coup situation continues to be monitored by national and international actors, as recent events and government responses may have an impact on the stability of institutions and the country’s political and social conditions. The development of the trials launched after the coup and the progress of the trials against opponents such as Candide Azzanai, Kémi Seba and Sabi Sira Korogoné continue to shape the public and political agenda in Benin, as reflected by both La Nation and Radio France Internationale.
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