COTONOU (AFP) – Benin said Sunday that authorities have
thwarted an attempt to oust President Thomas Boni Yayi and install a military
regime in the west African nation.
thwarted an attempt to oust President Thomas Boni Yayi and install a military
regime in the west African nation.
In a statement read to journalists, state prosecutor
Justin Gbenameto said a colonel and businessman were arrested for plotting “to
block the head of state from returning to Cotonou after his trip and to
institute a military regime.”
Justin Gbenameto said a colonel and businessman were arrested for plotting “to
block the head of state from returning to Cotonou after his trip and to
institute a military regime.”
Yayi, who recently completed a one-year term as chairman
of the African Union, had travelled to Equatorial Guinea last month for a
summit with South American leaders.
Gbenameto said Colonel Pamphile Zomahoun and prominent
accountant and businessman Johannes Dagnon were in custody and investigations
were continuing.
accountant and businessman Johannes Dagnon were in custody and investigations
were continuing.
The prosecutor urged citizens to “have confidence” in the
authorities.
authorities.
Alleged plots against the government are not new for the
small west African nation that borders Nigeria.
small west African nation that borders Nigeria.
Last year, businessman Patrice Talon, the president’s
niece and others were arrested after being accused of scheming to replace the
president’s heart medication with poison.
niece and others were arrested after being accused of scheming to replace the
president’s heart medication with poison.
