Rabat — Benin’s armed forces crushed a coup attempt Sunday morning after a small group of rebel soldiers seized the national television station and declared the removal of President Patrice Talon from power.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou announced in an official statement that the military successfully stopped the takeover attempt. He confirmed that the situation in the capital Cotonou and across the rest of the country remains stable and that President Talon is safe.
The rebel soldiers formed a group calling itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation.” They appeared on state television screens Sunday morning and abruptly announced they had ousted President Talon.
The group justified their actions by claiming an “internal crisis requires restructuring.”
But the regular army responded quickly and decisively. Military forces retook control of the television station and the presidential palace, preventing the conspirators from spreading to other sensitive locations.
A military source close to the president said the rebel group was small in size and only managed to control the television building. The army’s operations to restore control happened immediately, the source said. Security forces have deployed strict measures across major cities to prevent any repeat attempts.
The source added that security operations continue to clear any remaining hotspots and ensure a return to normalcy.
He stressed that President Talon continues to perform his duties normally and that legitimate authorities control the country.
West Africa has experienced a wave of military coups in recent years, with takeovers occurring in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea. Sunday’s failed attempt marks the latest threat to democratic governance in the region.
