A group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television early Sunday, announcing the dissolution of the government and declaring that President Patrice Talon had been “removed from office,” signalling an apparent coup attempt in the West African nation.
The group, which called itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation”, said it had taken control of all state institutions, with Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri appointed as president of the committee.
The French Embassy reported on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo,” near the president’s official residence in Porto-Novo, where the unrest began with an armed attack.
Benin Army claims it is regaining control after coup attempt
The soldiers seized control of the national broadcaster and read a statement claiming they were taking charge “to restore order.”
Benin’s Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, while maintaining that the situation remains fluid, told Reuters that although a coup attempt is underway, “a large part of the army and the national guard are still loyal to the president and are controlling the situation.”
The presidency also assured AFP that Talon is safe and that “the regular army is regaining control,” emphasizing that “this is a small group of people who only control the television” and that “the city and the country are completely secure.”
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The soldiers’ group further announced the closure of all national borders and the suspension of political parties.
The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou issued an alert urging citizens to avoid the area, specifically Cotonou and zones near the presidential compound, monitor local media, avoid crowds and demonstrations, keep a low profile, and notify friends and family of their safety.
Observers note that the apparent coup “does not come as a surprise to anyone,” Adama Gaye, former director of communications at regional bloc ECOWAS, told Al Jazeera. He said there has been significant political tension in Benin, with many opposition members imprisoned.
According to Gaye, President Talon had managed to “eliminate key people in the opposition party, including former President Boni Yayi,” and had already designated his current finance minister to succeed him after the next election.
Talon due to step down in April 2025 after the presidential election
Officially the Republic of Benin and formerly the Kingdom of Dahomey, the West African nation borders Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The political environment of the country which was once regarded as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most stable democracies has shifted markedly since Talon took office in 2016 amid accusations of targeting opponents and curtailing civil liberties.
He won re-election five years later with 86 percent of the ballots cast in the first round of a vote boycotted by some opposition parties.
Talon was scheduled to step down after the presidential election next April. His preferred successor, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was the frontrunner, while opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have sufficient sponsors.
In November, the legislature extended the presidential term from 5 to 7 years but maintained the 2-term limit.
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