The government of Benin, in West Africa, announced on Sunday the “failure” of a coup attempt, just hours after a group of soldiers announced the “dismissal” of President Patrice Talon.
“A small group of soldiers started a revolt with the aim of destabilizing the State and its institutions. Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their hierarchy (…) managed to keep control of the situation and to foil the maneuver,” announced the Minister of the Interior, Alassane Seidou, in a televised statement.
President Patrice Talon, who is expected to leave power in April after two terms, is safe and sound, according to his colleagues.
Several witnesses told AFP they heard “gunshots” or “shots” in Cotonou, the country’s economic capital.
In the early hours of Sunday, a group of military officers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) claimed to have “dismissed” President Talon on Beninese state television, whose signal was cut shortly after.
Shortly after this announcement, a source close to the president told AFP that he was safe and that the army was regaining control.
“It’s a small group that only controls the television channel. The regular army is taking back control. The city (Cotonou, the economic capital) and the country are completely safe, just like the president and his family,” this source explained to AFP.
Furthermore, the French embassy informed agency
A military source confirmed that the situation is “under control” and that the putschists have taken “neither the residence of the head of state nor the presidential palace.”
“It’s only a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is underway,” the source added.
This Sunday, access to national television and the presidential palace was blocked by the military, an AFP journalist confirmed.
Access was also prohibited to several areas of Cotonou, including the Sofitel hotel and areas housing international institutions.
However, no military presence was reported at the airport or in the rest of the city, where residents continued their normal activities.
Benin’s political history is marked by several coups and attempted coups.
Patrice Talon, in power since 2016, will complete his second term in April 2026, the maximum authorized by the Constitution.
The main opposition party is excluded from the upcoming elections, which will pit the ruling party against an opponent considered “moderate”.
Although recognized for Benin’s economic development, the opposition blames Talon for the authoritarian turn of a country once known for its vibrant democracy.
Benin has a strong economy, but has been hit by jihadist violence in the north of the country.
Since the start of the decade, West Africa has seen numerous coups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea and, most recently, in late November, Guinea-Bissau.
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