Benin Republic faced a brief period of uncertainty on Sunday as a group of military personnel announced the removal of President Patrice Talon from power. However, the presidency and army sources swiftly declared the situation was under control, with the attempted coup failing to gain significant traction.
Televised Announcement and Swift Rebuttal
Early on Sunday, soldiers identifying themselves as the "Military Committee for Refoundation" (CMR) took to national television. They declared that they had held a meeting and decided to remove President Patrice Talon from office. The broadcast signal was later cut off, marking the beginning of a tense standoff.
Response from the government was rapid. A source close to President Talon informed the AFP news agency that the head of state was safe and secure. The source dismissed the plotters, stating, "This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control." They assured that the economic capital, Cotonou, and the country at large were secure, and that a return to normalcy was imminent.
Military Confirms Control, Details Emerge
A separate military source confirmed that the coup attempt had been contained. The plotters had failed to seize key strategic locations, including the presidential residence and official offices. The French Embassy had earlier reported gunfire near Camp Guezo, close to the president's residence in Cotonou, advising its citizens to stay indoors as a precaution.
President Talon, a 67-year-old former businessman often called the "cotton king of Cotonou", has led Benin since 2016. His tenure, set to end constitutionally in April 2026 after two terms, has been noted for driving solid economic growth but also for a concerning rise in jihadist violence and accusations of authoritarian tendencies from critics.
Regional Context of Political Instability
This incident adds to the worrying trend of military interventions in West Africa. In recent years, Benin's northern neighbours, Niger and Burkina Faso, have experienced coups, alongside Mali, Guinea, and most recently, Guinea-Bissau. Benin itself has a political history marked by several coups and attempted power grabs.
The political landscape in Benin is currently focused on the upcoming transition. The main opposition party has been barred from the race to succeed Talon, setting the stage for a contest between the ruling party and a faction described as "moderate" opposition.
As of Sunday, authorities maintain that the attempted disruption has been effectively neutralized, with the legitimate government firmly in command.
