President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin is reportedly safe after a group of soldiers announced a coup in the early hours of Sunday, claiming to have dissolved state institutions and removed the 67-year-old leader from office.
The Benin presidency, however, dismissed the claims, saying loyal forces were restoring order in Cotonou.
Gunshots were heard near Talon’s residence as armoured vehicles moved around the presidential palace, prompting widespread concern in the region.
The faction of soldiers, operating under the name ‘Military Committee for Refoundation’, had taken over state television to announce that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”
The presidency later issued a statement describing the mutineers as “a small group of people who only control the television”, insisting that “the regular army is regaining control” and that “the city and the country are completely secure.”
Meanwhile, around a dozen soldiers have been arrested in Benin following the failed coup attempt, including those suspected to be the ringleaders, military and security sources told AFP.
One source reported that 13 arrests were made; all detainees remain on active duty, except for one former soldier.
Sunday’s incident marks Benin’s second coup attempt in just over a year.
In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the Republican Guard and head of Talon’s security, was arrested following an earlier failed coup attempt.
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