- Military faction announces attempted coup in Benin, claims removal of Talon.
- Presidency says coup plot contained, authority still intact.
- Soldiers behind move identified as Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR).
- Reports of gunfire near Camp Guezo, foreign embassies urge caution.
Tension rose across Benin Republic on Sunday after a group of military personnel identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) appeared on state television, declaring that President Patrice Talon had been removed from power. The broadcast was cut shortly after the announcement, sparking anxiety nationwide.
Despite the dramatic takeover claim, senior government sources dismissed the move as a failed power grab. A source close to the president told AFP that Talon was unharmed and secure.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
READ ALSO: Attempted Coup in Benin Republic as Soldiers Announce President Talon’s Removal
“This is a small group with access only to the television station. The city and the country are completely secure,” the source said.
“It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal.”
The presidency maintained that the coup attempt did not compromise the presidential residence or key state institutions, and that loyal security units are firmly in charge. A military source also confirmed that the situation was “under control”.
The French Embassy in Cotonou reported sounds of gunfire around Camp Guezo, a location near Talon’s official residence and advised its nationals to remain indoors. No immediate reports of casualties or displacement were recorded.
READ ALSO: FULL LIST: African Coups in the Last Five Years
Patrice Talon, 67, elected in 2016 and currently in the final stretch of his second term, has been widely praised for economic growth but criticised by opponents who accuse him of suppressing political voices. His exit is expected in 2026, and tensions over succession have risen as the main opposition remains barred from contesting.
Benin, once considered a stable democracy, now joins a long list of West African states that have faced military interventions in recent years, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
Officials say investigations are underway to identify and apprehend all soldiers linked to the televised announcement.
