A group of soldiers appeared on Benin Republic’s state television, on Sunday, announcing the dissolution of the government in an apparent coup attempt in Nigeria’s western neighbour.
They announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, who has been in power since 2016, as well as all state institutions.
The troops referred to themselves as part of the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), and said that they had met and decided that “Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.
The French embassy said on X that ‘gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo’ near the President’s official residence. It urged French citizens to remain indoors for security.
Following the announcement, the President’s office stated that Talon is safe and that the army is regaining control, according to the AFP news agency.
The presidency told the news agency: ‘This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure’.
Talon was due to step down next April after 10 years in power.
A number of coups have taken place across Africa in recent years.
Just last month, soldiers in Guinea-Bissau seized power with General Horta Inta-A named as the head of a one-year transitional government. The country has experienced nine coup attempts since its independence from Portugal in 1974.
In 2023, military leader Brice Oligui Nguema toppled Gabon’s then-President Ali Bongo Ondimba, a leader whose family had held power in the country for almost 56 years.
That same year, a coup took out Niger Republic’s Mohamed Bazoum, a democratically elected leader who ruled for just two years before he was forced out of office. A military government was then installed, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani.
In 2022, Burkina Faso military leader President Paul-Henri Damiba was deposed in the country’s second coup in a year, as army Captain Ibrahim Traore took charge.
In Mali, General Assimi Goita led soldiers to seize power in a 2020 coup.
(Benin Coup): President Talon Safe, Army Regaining Control From Putschists – Presidency
The Benin Republic presidency says that President Patrice Talon is safe and the army is regaining control from the coup plotters.
This comes shortly after a group of military personnel in Benin on Sunday announced that they had ousted President Patrice Talon, who is due to step down next April after 10 years in power.
Soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), said on state television that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.
However, according to AFP, the president’s office said Mr Talon is safe and that the army is regaining control.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television.
“The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” the agency quoted the Benin presidency as saying.
