Benin Republic was briefly thrown into political uncertainty on Sunday following reports of an attempted military coup, which authorities later said had been foiled by loyal security forces.
The incident began when a small group of soldiers appeared on state television, announcing they had removed President Patrice Talon from office, dissolved state institutions and suspended the constitution. The group described itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation and named a senior officer as its leader.
Shortly after the broadcast, the government moved to regain control. The Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, announced that the action was a failed mutiny carried out by a limited number of soldiers and that the constitutional order had been restored. State television transmissions were returned to government control within hours.
Reports from the capital and the economic hub, Cotonou, indicated brief episodes of gunfire near sensitive locations, including areas around the presidential residence and military installations. Security forces were subsequently deployed across key sites to restore calm.
Authorities confirmed that several soldiers involved in the attempted takeover had been arrested. As of the latest updates, no further public statements or appearances have been made by the coup plotters beyond their initial televised announcement.
Notably, President Patrice Talon has not made a public address or appearance since the incident. Government officials, however, insist that the president is safe and that the situation is fully under control.
Local media outlets in Benin have largely echoed official statements, focusing on reassurance, arrests, and the restoration of order, while refraining from broadcasting messages from the coup plotters.
Regional and international reactions have been swift, with ECOWAS, the African Union, and several foreign governments condemning the attempted coup and reaffirming support for Benin’s constitutional order.
While calm has returned, the incident has raised questions about internal security challenges, military grievances, and political tensions as Benin approaches future electoral transitions. For now, authorities maintain that governance remains intact and that investigations into the failed coup attempt are ongoing.