Five people stood in line at Chantal Dagah’s newsstand in Cotonou — a rare sight that immediately signaled something serious had happened.
Her kiosk, located just a few steps from several key government ministries, usually sees only a few people at a time. But the morning after the coup attempt, residents across the coastal city were hungry for updates.
A day earlier, a faction of soldiers had seized the national television station and announced that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. Their attempt was short-lived, as loyal forces, supported by the Nigerian air force, regained control.
“I don’t usually buy newspapers, but today I picked up two because something unusual happened yesterday,” said Stephane Nelson, a customer who lingered for several minutes scanning the headlines.
Despite the airstrikes and military actions the previous day, Cotonou — the economic hub of Benin — returned to a state of calm as businesses and daily routines resumed.
Newspapers captured the mood: reassuring headlines announced that the president had restored stability and the situation was under control.
The main visible reminder of the upheaval was the presence of tanks rolling through key parts of the city, including the Boulevard de la Marina, which links the presidential palace to the airport, sea port, and important ministries. Some routes leading to the palace were still closed.
Coup Leaders on the Run
“It was important to understand what was happening,” Nelson said. “Things are still shifting, but we know what’s at stake, especially since another sovereign nation had to step in to support our democracy.”
Nelson was referring to the involvement of the Nigerian air force, which responded after Benin sought military assistance to repel the group calling itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR).
Nigeria also deployed troops into Benin to support the government.
Although the coup plotters claimed President Talon had been “removed,” sources close to him confirmed he had been safe the entire time and had quickly mobilized loyal forces against what they described as “a small group controlling only the television station.”
Authorities continued searching for some of the soldiers involved, though all hostages — including senior officers — had been released.
Talon, who is expected to leave office at the end of his second term in April, later appeared on national television, assuring the nation that the situation was “fully under control.”
‘Almost a Normal Monday’
Across Cotonou, life resumed with surprising normalcy. Street vendors returned to their routines, motorcycle taxis roamed for passengers, and children made their way to school.
“It’s almost a normal Monday,” said an employee of the agriculture ministry, who preferred to remain anonymous.
“I just hope something like this doesn’t happen again. I’m glad everything has calmed down,” he added, sipping lemon tea under a shade tree.
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For business owners, the temporary chaos had financial consequences.
“I had to close the shop yesterday,” said Thor, a 19-year-old tailor whose workshop is close to a National Guard base targeted during the Nigerian air force strikes.
“Today I’m back like it’s a regular day. I pray it never happens again. I can’t afford more losses.”
Nearby, at a steaming noodle restaurant, customers debated the reason for the day’s slow turnout — whether lingering tension from the coup attempt or simply the heavy rainfall drenching the city.
