The recent arrest of three prominent figures in Benin, including a high-ranking military officer and a close ally of President Patrice Talon, has sparked intense debate about the country’s political future as his second term nears its end in 2026.
On Wednesday, the prosecutor of Benin’s Court of Repression of Economic and Terrorist Offenses (CRIET) revealed that Djimon Dieudonné Tévoédjrè, commander of the Republican Guard, along with former minister Oswald Homéky and businessman Olivier Boko, were detained late Monday into Tuesday. The trio stands accused of plotting a coup d’état in the West African nation of 13 million people. Notably, Tévoédjrè has since been released, according to reports.
The prosecutor stated that Boko and Homéky allegedly opened a bank account with NSIA Côte d’Ivoire to fund a forced takeover scheduled for September 27, 2024. NSIA Côte d’Ivoire, however, denied any such account existed for the Benin Republican Guard commander.
Olivier Boko, a 60-year-old business tycoon and owner of the Denrées et Fournitures Alimentaires (DFA) group, has been a close associate of Patrice Talon for over two decades. Often described as the president’s right-hand man, Boko has never held an official government role. In recent months, however, he has openly expressed political ambitions, suggesting he may run for president in 2026—a move reportedly disapproved by Talon. Boko’s candidacy was reportedly backed by former sports minister Oswald Homéky. Talon, who has been in power since 2016, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in 2026.
– a new political phase –
“We’ve entered a new phase in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections,” noted Tiburce Adagbè, a political analyst. “While legal proceedings must follow due process, one of the accused—a frontrunner in the succession race—now faces significant challenges.” Euloge Francis Atadé, a governance expert, added, “The sub-regional geopolitical climate remains volatile, especially given recent coups in neighboring Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.”
Gilles Gohy, a member of the Union Progressiste le Renouveau party and Talon supporter, struck a more reassuring tone. “There’s no cause for concern,” he said. “Let justice run its course… We must remain calm.” Valentin Djenontin, an exiled opposition figure, countered, “If the prosecutor issues a detention order against Olivier Boko, I wouldn’t be surprised to see pro-Talon marches, as he remains the sole authority in charge.”
The opposition FCBE party condemned the alleged coup attempt, reaffirming its commitment to democratic transitions of power. The Bloc Républicain, a pro-government party, also condemned the plot, calling it a grave threat to democracy and vowing to protect the constitutional order. Following Boko’s arrest, his 2026 campaign group, Objectif Bénin 2026 (OB26), criticized what it described as political persecution and unacceptable repression. Critics of Talon have long accused him of adopting an increasingly authoritarian approach, despite Benin’s previous reputation as a democratic leader in West Africa.
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