Military personnel in Benin announced on Sunday that they had ousted President Patrice Talon, although his entourage stated that he was safe and the army was regaining control.
Soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) declared on state television that they had convened and decided that “Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”
This announcement follows two coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau within the past two months. Benin shares its northern border with Niger and Burkina Faso, both of which have also experienced military takeovers.
The French Embassy reported on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence in the economic capital. It urged French citizens to remain indoors for their safety.
However, Talon’s entourage asserted that he, who has been the president of the West African nation for 10 years and is set to step down in April, was safe.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” his office told AFP.
Benin’s political history has been characterized by numerous coups and attempted coups.
Talon, who assumed power in 2016, is expected to finish his second term in 2026, which is the maximum permitted by the constitution.
The main opposition party has been excluded from the race to succeed him, while the ruling party will compete for power against a so-called “moderate” opposition.
Talon, a 67-year-old former businessman known as the “cotton king” of Cotonou, has garnered praise for fostering economic development in Benin but faces regular accusations of authoritarianism.
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