A group of soldiers on Sunday appeared on Benin Republic’s state television to announce the dissolution of the government in what appeared to be an attempted military coup, triggering hours of uncertainty in the West African country.
In the broadcast, the soldiers declared that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office, the constitution suspended, and all democratic institutions dissolved. They also announced the immediate closure of Benin’s land, air and sea borders, citing alleged governance failures and worsening national conditions.
The group reportedly identified itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation and named a senior army officer as its leader. Shortly before the announcement, there were reports of gunfire near strategic locations in Porto-Novo, including areas close to the presidential residence and military installations, raising fears of a coordinated takeover.
However, hours after the broadcast, the Beninese government said the coup attempt had been thwarted. The Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, stated that the majority of the armed forces remained loyal to the constitution and that security forces had moved swiftly to restore order.
Authorities said while the mutineers briefly gained access to the state broadcaster, they failed to take control of the presidency or other key government institutions. The government also indicated that measures were being taken to stabilize the situation and prevent any further disruption.
As of late Sunday, the whereabouts of President Patrice Talon had not been publicly disclosed, but officials maintained that the constitutional order was intact and that the situation was under control.
The incident has drawn regional and international attention, coming at a sensitive time for Benin, which has long been regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies and is preparing for elections expected in 2026. The attempted takeover also adds to growing concerns over political instability and military interventions across parts of West Africa in recent years.
While calm was reportedly returning to parts of the country, security remained tight, with citizens advised to stay alert as authorities continued to assess the full extent of the attempted coup and identify those involved.