Photo: Benin President, Patrice Talon
A group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television on Sunday, declaring they had dissolved the government and removed President Patrice Talon from office in what officials later described as a failed coup attempt.
The troops, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), announced the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of all state institutions after seizing the national broadcaster. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, the group said Talon had been “removed from office” and promised a “new era” for the country.
Flanked by helmeted soldiers, a spokesman said all political party activities were suspended until further notice.
The presidency, however, swiftly dismissed the announcement, insisting Talon was safe and that loyal forces were regaining control. “This is a small group that only controls the television,” officials told AFP, adding that “the city and the country are completely secure.”
Talon’s exact whereabouts remained unclear, and the French Embassy reported gunfire around Camp Guezo near his official residence, urging French nationals to stay indoors.
The attempted power grab comes just weeks after Benin’s legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years, while retaining the two-term limit. Talon, in office since 2016, had been expected to step down next April following the presidential election, where his party’s preferred successor, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was seen as the frontrunner. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was recently disqualified for not meeting sponsorship requirements.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of military takeovers in West Africa, following coups in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.
Authorities in Benin say the situation is under control as security forces continue efforts to locate and detain the soldiers behind the broadcast.
AFP
