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The Benin Republic presidency says President Patrice Talon is safe and the “regular” army is regaining control, after a group of soldiers announced a coup early Sunday.
Gunshots were heard near Talon’s residence as armoured vehicles deployed in the presidential palace patrolled the precinct.
The group, which labelled itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, said the president and all political officeholders have been effectively removed, and that all institutions have been dissolved.
Talon has been on the saddle since 2016 and had promised to leave office in April 2026 after the presidential poll.
In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the Republican Guard and head of Talon’s security, was arrested following an attempted coup.
‘ARMY REGAINING CONTROL’
In a statement, the Benin Republic presidency described the soldiers who announced the takeover of power as “a small group of people who only control the television”.
The presidency said the “regular army is regaining control”, adding that the city and the country are completely secure”.
West Africa has witnessed an uptick in successful and foiled coup attempts since 2020.
Last month, military officers in Guinea-Bissau captured power after President Umaro Embaló, who was seeking re-election, and Fernando Dias, his main opponent, both declared victory in the country’s election even though the electoral commission had not released official results.
Other West African states under military rule include Burkina Faso (2022), Guinea (2021), Mali (2020) and Niger (2023).
