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Benin’s former defence minister and well-known opposition figure, Candide Azannai, was taken into custody on Friday in Cotonou, the country’s commercial hub, according to a police source and one of his associates who spoke to AFP.
For now, it remains uncertain whether his arrest is tied to the army’s failed coup attempt on Sunday. Officials have not released any formal list of those being investigated.
Although Azannai publicly condemned the attempted takeover in a Facebook post on Wednesday, he simultaneously criticised efforts to “exploit the criminal events… for the purpose of seizing power through manipulation and intimidation of dissenting voices and critical political opinions”.
The police source, speaking under condition of anonymity, offered no explanation for the arrest and declined to say where Azannai is currently being held.
One of Azannai’s close allies also confirmed his detention but stressed they had “no information” regarding the reason behind it.
Azannai, a central political player and one of the most vocal opponents of President Patrice Talon, once supported Talon’s path to the presidency in 2016 before later distancing himself and joining the opposition.
Talon is often commended for steering Benin’s economic progress, yet detractors argue he has tightened his grip on power in recent years.
His second and final term ends in 2026, in line with constitutional limits.
