Soldiers in Benin appeared on state television on Sunday announcing that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office and dissolved state institutions in what authorities have described as an attempted coup.
Identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation and reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, the group said it was suspending the constitution, shutting borders and halting political party activities, citing dissatisfaction with Talon’s management of the country.
The move followed an early morning attack on Talon’s residence in Porto Novo and a brief takeover of the national broadcaster, after which TV and radio signals were cut.
Benin’s government later said Talon was safe, stressing that only a small faction was involved and that troops loyal to the president were regaining control of key sites in Cotonou and Porto Novo, with officials calling the incident a foiled coup attempt.
The turmoil comes months before an April 2026 presidential election meant to mark the end of Talon’s decade in power, raising fresh concerns about democratic stability in a region already shaken by multiple military takeovers.
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