1977 Attempted Coup d'Etat in Benin
All Conflicts Main Page


Attempted coup in Benin

The 1977 coup attempt in Benin is primarily interesting because it was made by a group of mercenaries led by Bob Denard. Not so many coups in Africa took place were so obviously committed by mercenary force.

On January 16, 1977, a detachment of mercenaries led by Bob Denard attacked the capital of Benin, with the aim of deposing the conditionally-Marxist government of Matthew Kereku. In total, approximately 100 people arrived, including 27 Africans and 62 Europeans. Gabon and Morocco helped to prepare this action, and the bulk of the militants were French citizens. Benin investigators announced that French intelligence had actively supported the organization of this attempt. Who exactly “ordered” the putsch is not really known by now - either the big politician of the 1960s, Emille Zinsu, or the representative of Benin to the European Union Pognon.

The visitors succeeded in shelling the presidential palace with small arms, but could not do anything more substantial and left three hours later on their aircraft. A monument was erected to the fallen in the course of repulsing aggression in Benin (in Abomey).  

 


© Conflictologist, 2006- ...
All questions you must address with the site owner

Locations of visitors to this page
All Conflicts Main Page