Access to presidency, state TV blocked, no military presence at airport
According to an AFP journalist in Cotonou, soldiers are still blocking access to the presidency and state television. Access to several other areas, including the five-star Sofitel in Cotonou and districts housing international institutions, are also blocked.
There is no military presence reported at the airport and the rest of the city, however, and residents are going about their business.
Who is President Patrice Talon?
Patrice Talon, a 67-year-old former businessman dubbed the “cotton king of Cotonou”, has been in power since 2016 and is due to step down in April next year, after reaching the end of his second term.
His 10 years in office have been marked by solid economic growth but also a surge in jihadist violence.
While supporters praise him for bringing economic development to the country, critics regularly accuse him of authoritarianism.
Ahead of the 2026 elections, Talon’s party pick, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, has been the favorite to succeed him. The main opposition candidate, Renaud Agbodjo, was rejected by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have sufficient sponsors.
Last month, Benin’s legislature extended the presidential term of office from five to seven years, keeping the term limit at two.
Benin: A fertile ground for coups post independence and before 1991
Following its independence from France in 1960, the West African nation of Benin has witnessed multiple coups, especially in the decades following its independence.
Since 1991, however, the country has been politically stable following the two-decade rule of Marxist-Leninist Mathieu Kerekou.
President Talon ‘safe’, his office says
According to the Patrice Talon’s office, the president is “safe”.
His whereabouts have not been communicated, however.
Third African coup attempt in three months
The apparent attempt to overthrow the Beninese government follows two coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in as many months.
Benin is bordered in the north by Niger and Burkina Faso, which have also seen military takeovers.
Benin’s foreign minister claims situation ‘under control’
Later on Sunday morning, Benin’s Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari said that loyalist soldiers and national guards had regained control.
“There is an attempt but the situation is under control. Now it’s a small group of military. A large part of the army is still loyalist and we are taking over the situation,” he said.
He added that the coup plotters had only taken control of state TV and that the signal had been cut for several minutes.
Group of soldiers claim Benin’s president ‘removed from office’
A group of soldiers early on Sunday appeared on Benin’s state television claiming to have ousted President Patrice Talon from office and dissolved all state institutions.
According to information obtained by FRANCE 24, the coup attempt began in the early hours of Sunday, with an attack on President Patrice Talon’s official residence in the capital Porto-Novo.
The French Embassy said on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the Talon’s home and urged French citizens to remain indoors for security.
In their television appearance, the soldiers – allegedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri – then read out a statement, declaring they had removed the president from power.
“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail.”
Good morning and welcome to our live blog on the apparent coup attempt in Benin.
Crédito: Link de origem