Foreign Affairs

Benin’s president said on Sunday that the “situation is completely under control” in his country after the government thwarted an attempted coup thanks to loyalist soldiers. A group of soldiers announced earlier in the day on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon. That sparked a swift response from loyal army forces, air strikes from neighbouring Nigeria and …

Authorities in Benin have, however, arrested several other members of the group after defence and security forces successfully thwarted the attempted coup. Colonel Pascal Tigri, identified as the leader of the mutineers who briefly seized Benin Republic’s national television station on Sunday, is currently on the run, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Nigeria’s President …

The Nigerian military has deployed fighter aircraft to the Benin Republic following Sunday’s military coup that toppled President Patrice Talon, reliable security sources have confirmed. The aircraft, which took off from Lagos earlier on Sunday, were sighted operating within Beninese airspace as Nigeria intensifies surveillance and monitoring of the rapidly evolving political and security situation in the neighbouring country. Sources …

A group of soldiers on Sunday appeared on Benin’s state television announcing the dissolution of the government in what seemed to be a coup in the West African country. The soldiers declared the removal of President Patrice Talon, who has led the country since 2016, along with the suspension of all state institutions. Identifying themselves as members of the “Military …

United States lawmaker representing Florida’s 6th congressional district, Randy Fine, has joined a growing list of members of Congress supporting a resolution calling for stronger U.S. action in response to worsening religious-related violence in Nigeria. In a statement shared on X handle on Wednesday, the congressman expressed alarm over continued attacks by extremist groups in parts of Nigeria, particularly in …

Former Senator Kabiru Marafa has endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of possible military action in Nigeria, saying the warning could pressure the government to take stronger steps against insecurity. Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central in the Senate between 2011 and 2019, stated his position on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “I strongly support the …

The administration of President Donald Trump has announced visa restrictions targeting Nigerians involved in funding or supporting genocide against Christians in the country. United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the announcement in a post on his official X account on Wednesday. According to the post, the visa policy applies to Nigeria as well as other governments or individuals …

United States lawmakers and foreign relations experts convened on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for a joint congressional briefing in Washington, D.C., to discuss the escalating violence and alleged targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The session, led by House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), sought expert testimony following President Donald J. Trump’s directive …

Some United States lawmakers have warned that the US must sustain pressure on the Nigerian government, accusing Abuja of inaction as insecurity and targeted killings continue to escalate across the country. Speaking at the United States House Appropriations Committee’s joint congressional briefing on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the lawmakers said the situation had deteriorated to the point where …

Pope Leo XIV has said that he would like to visit Algeria in 2026 as part of a voyage to Africa, which could be his next overseas destination. He made this known on Tuesday during a press conference aboard the papal plane on his return from a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, marking the conclusion of his first international …