Soldiers in Benin have announced on national television that they have removed President Patrice Talon from power. The military takeover comes amid reports of gunfire near the president’s residence in Cotonou, the country’s main city and seat of government.
A statement from the French embassy confirmed the gunfire, while helicopters were seen flying over the city and several streets were blocked by a heavy military presence.
Constitution Suspended, Borders Closed
The soldiers declared the suspension of the constitution and announced the closure of all land borders and the country’s airspace. They named Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal as the head of a new military transition council.
In their announcement, the soldiers criticized President Talon’s management of the country. “The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” the statement read.
Government Officials Say Situation Under Control
Officials close to President Talon say the takeover is limited to a small group of soldiers at the television station and that the regular army remains loyal. Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters: “The situation is under control.
A large part of the army is still loyalist – and we are taking over the situation.”
An anonymous source at the presidency told AFP: “This is a small group of people who only control the television. The city and the country are completely secure.” The president’s exact whereabouts remain unclear.
International Reactions and Regional Context
The French and Russian embassies have urged their citizens to stay indoors, while the US embassy advised avoiding Cotonou, especially the presidential area.
Benin, a former French colony, is one of West Africa’s more stable democracies. It is a major cotton producer but remains among the world’s poorest countries. President Talon, 67, a businessman known as the “king of cotton,” came to power in 2016 and had planned to step down next year after completing his second term.
The apparent coup in Benin follows a similar military takeover in Guinea-Bissau last week. West Africa has seen multiple coups in recent years, including in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger, raising concerns about regional stability.
Benin has also faced growing security threats, with jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda spreading southward. Meanwhile, Russia has strengthened ties with Sahel countries, some of which have left the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to form the Alliance of Sahel States.