Conflicting reports about a Coup in Benin

A group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television and announced the dissolution of the government in what they described as an overt coup in the West African country.

On Sunday, December 7, the group declared the overthrow of President Patrice Talon—who has been in power since 2016—as well as the dissolution of all state institutions.

The forces identified themselves as part of the “Military Committee for Reconstruction” (CMR) and said on state television that they had held a meeting and decided to remove Patrice Talon from the presidency.

Talon was due to step down next April after ten years in power.

Informed sources reported that the coup attempt began with an attack on the presidential residence in Porto-Novo, the capital of Benin.

Beninese soldiers, led by Pascal Tigri, seized the national television station and announced that Talon had been removed from office.

However, Benin’s presidency announced that Talon is safe and that the army is in the process of retaking control from the coup plotters.

A statement from the Beninese presidency said: “These individuals are a small group of soldiers who have only taken control of the television station. The regular army is retaking control, and the city and the country are completely safe.”

Last month, the country’s legislature extended the presidential term from five years to seven years while maintaining the two-term limit.

Meanwhile, Benin’s foreign minister told Reuters that an attempt at a coup had taken place, but the situation is under control.

According to the foreign minister, a large portion of the army and the national guard have remained loyal to the government and are keeping the situation under control.