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A group of soldiers mutinied this morning at the public television facilities in Benin and, from there, they have reported the dismissal of the country’s president, Patrice Talon. Despite this, the attempted coup d’état that they had announced has failed, according to the Minister of the Interior and Public Security of the country, Alassane Seidou, who has detailed that “the leaders and the people, faithful to their oath, have maintained their commitment to the Republic.”
The response of the Government of Benin “has made it possible to maintain control of the situation and thwart the coup attempt, therefore, the Executive invites the population to continue your activities normally”, he stressed Seidou without providing more details.
After taking the public television facilitiesthe coup plotters claimed to speak on behalf of a “Military Committee for the Refoundation of the Republic“, who had decided to dismiss the president and appoint the “Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal” as a leader.
Confusion spread throughout the country —located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea— during the first hours, but later, sources from the Army and the Foreign Ministry have assured that the pro-government forces they were in control of the nation.
“It’s just a small group of soldiers who has tried something. His action has been limited to his appearance on television,” an anonymous military source detailed at that time to EFE.
According to local media, the Republican Guard has managed to restore order at the public television headquarters where, apparently, the coup plotters have been reduced.
In a statement released on its social networks, the Embassy of France had pointed out this morning that “they have Shots reported at Camp Guezonear the residence of the President of the Republic”.
“For security reasons, we invite you to remain at home until further notice, while the situation is completely clarified,” the French legation added in a message addressed to its nationals.
Likewise, the United States Embassy had indicated that it was “monitoring reports of shootings in Cotonouas well as unconfirmed data of a coup d’état by the military.”
In a statement, the US diplomatic mission recommended to its nationals avoid “the areaespecially Cotonou and the areas close to the presidential complex.”
In the capital, the streets were practically empty and, at mid-morning, it was difficult to access various online mediawhich has generated uncertainty and anxiety among the population.
After coming to power in 2016, Talonre-elected president in 2021, launched a political and economic program focused on the development of the countrybut his critics accuse him that this impulse led to the erosion of a democracy considered exemplary in the past.
Two of the main adversaries of the head of state, Joël Aiva of the Reckya Madugauremain imprisoned after being sentenced to ten and twenty years in prison, respectively, at the end of 2021.
Benin plans hold presidential elections in April 2026.
The Minister of Economy and Finance of Benin, Romuald Wadagnihas been designated a presidential candidate for the elections by the ruling coalition of Talon, 67 years old and who will not run for re-election at exhaust both mandates of five years provided for by the Constitution.
The coup attempt occurred after the military carried out a successful coup d’état in another West African country on November 26, Guinea-Bissauwhere the president was overthrown Umaro Sissoco Embalówho fled abroad.