A group of soldiers in Benin has proclaimed that they have seized control of the government, declaring the removal of President Patrice Talon on national television.
According to information from the French embassy in Benin, gunfire was heard near the president’s residence in Cotonou, the country’s political and economic hub. The military faction behind the takeover has announced the suspension of the constitution along with the closure of all land borders and the nation’s airspace.
Despite these announcements, officials close to President Talon maintain that the coup effort involves only a small faction within the armed forces and does not represent the stance of the loyal army units.
“The situation is under control. A large part of the army is still loyalist – and we are taking over the situation,” Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters.
An anonymous presidency official also told AFP, “This is a small group of people who only control the television. The city and the country are completely secure.”
The president’s whereabouts remain unclear as helicopters soar over Cotonou while several city streets experience roadblocks and a heightened military presence.
Benin, a former French colony, has been seen as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies. Although it stands as a significant cotton producer—a crucial aspect of its economy—the nation continues to be one of the world’s poorest. This sudden political disruption could undermine the stability it has sustained in recent years.
With the situation still unfolding, observers and diplomats worldwide are closely monitoring developments in Benin, where the coup attempt shows ongoing challenges related to civil-military relations and governance in parts of Africa.