Following a failed military coup in Benin on Sunday, December 7, IRENA GROUP is accelerating its deployment in West Africa to support institutions and private operators in high-risk areas. Already present on the continent through consulting missions, the group has just been selected to provide security for the European Union Delegation to Benin, its first institutional mandate on the continent.
A Day of Crisis in Benin
On December 7, Beninese soldiers, led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri, attempted to seize control of the country, prompting the mobilization of security forces and the national army, according to RFI.
The event generated international reactions: French President Emmanuel Macron announced on social media X the solidarity of France with the region and the strengthening of the partnership with the authorities to address security challenges. Military interventions and flights were reported, and the population, as well as institutions, were put to the test in the face of this attempted coup, RFI announced.
“24 hours after the failed coup attempt, two high-ranking officers held hostage were released,” according to RFI. Despite the apparent stabilization of the situation, disinformation continues to spread on social media, citing false rumors that members of the government had taken refuge in the French embassy or that images of downed aircraft had been falsified to fuel the disinformation campaign, according to RFI.
The Beninese Minister of the Interior, Alassane Seidou, stated in a televised address that the attempted coup had been “thwarted” and that the armed forces, “true to their oath,” had regained control, Euronews, raported.
In the streets of Cotonou, the tension was palpable, and residents watched the military patrols with concern. For many civilians and diplomats, every moment was marked by uncertainty and fear, highlighting the importance of reliable and responsive security missions.
An Unstable Regional Context
West Africa has been experiencing a decline in political and security stability for several years, exacerbated by the terrorist threat in the Sahel and state fragility. In this context, securing diplomatic missions and businesses has become a crucial issue. IRENA GROUP has been working alongside exposed institutions and businesses for over ten years, providing its expertise in the most unstable environments.
For IRENA GROUP, security is not just a technical matter: it is about protecting lives, preserving stability, and enabling people to continue their daily lives despite the uncertainty.
Securing the Delegation of the European Union
In this tense context, IRENA GROUP won the tender from the EU Delegation to implement an integrated security strategy in Benin. The system combines:
- Security of sensitive sites
- Access control
- Protection of diplomatic staff and operators
- Crisis management and evacuation protocols
Constant monitoring and coordination with local authorities ensure the responsiveness of the system, in partnership with Benin Tracking Security, a local actor recognized for its operational expertise.
Vincent Jacquemart and Romain Bordenave, co-founders of IRENA GROUP, emphasize: “This first institutional mandate in Africa is a significant milestone. Having a presence in Benin allows us to intervene rapidly in neighboring countries—Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, and Burkina Faso—to support businesses and institutions in all emergency situations.”
The presence of IRENA GROUP provides reassuring security for those on the front lines, whether diplomats, humanitarian workers, or citizens facing instability.
International Expertise to Anticipate Risk
Present in several strategic regions—Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Middle East—IRENA GROUP combines operational intelligence, technical expertise, on-the-ground knowledge, and technological innovation. Its teams operate in maritime transport security, personnel protection in high-risk areas, the security of diplomatic missions, and complex crisis management.
In a country facing uncertainty and violence, the presence of IRENA GROUP symbolizes far more than a simple security arrangement: it embodies continuity, protection, and the hope that even in the most unstable times, life and diplomatic missions can continue.
©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN
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