Chabi Yayi, son of former Benin president Thomas Boni Yayi, arrested after foiled coup
Benin authorities arrested Chabi Yayi, son of former president Thomas Boni Yayi, in Cotonou after a foiled coup. His party calls the pre-dawn detention unlawful and demands an explanation.
Authorities in Benin have arrested Chabi Yayi, the son of former President Thomas Boni Yayi, just a week after a foiled coup in the country.
Reports indicate that Chabi was apprehended at his home in Cotonou at around 2:00 am and later detained at a police directorate. Authorities have not provided any explanation for his arrest.
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Chabi's party, The Democrats Party (Les Democrats), led by his father, confirmed the arrest in a statement on X, describing it as a violation of his constitutional rights.
"The Democrats Party informs national and international public opinion its National Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Chabi Georges Nadjim YAYI, was abducted from his home at approximately 2:00 am by individuals in police uniforms," the statement seen by The Eastleigh Voice reads.
"Taken to the Economic and Financial Brigade, no formal information has yet been released to his family or to party officials."
The party called for Chabi's immediate release and urged Beninese authorities to disclose the details and motive behind the arrest.
"The Democrats Party demands his immediate release and calls on the competent authorities to shed full light on this abduction, which is taking place in a difficult national context," the statement added.
"We condemn this act, which violates the principles of the rule of law and the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, and is concerned for the physical safety of its leader."
Chabi's arrest follows a brief but violent coup attempt in Benin last week, when a small group of soldiers, led by Colonel Pascal Tigri, stormed a state broadcaster and claimed that President Patrice Talon had been removed from power.
The mutiny was swiftly suppressed as Benin's armed forces, with support from Nigerian firepower and French intelligence, regained control of key sites across Cotonou.
Authorities say around 14 suspects have been arrested in connection with the coup. However, Tigri remains at large, with Beninese officials claiming he fled to neighbouring Togo with several accomplices. Benin has formally requested his immediate extradition.
While no official death toll has been released, authorities acknowledge that there were casualties on both sides.
The failed coup comes months ahead of an April 2026 presidential election, which is expected to mark the end of Talon's tenure. Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, a member of the ruling coalition, is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed him.
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