By Ibrahim Muhammad
A group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television on Sunday, announcing the dissolution of the government in what is widely seen as a military coup.
The soldiers declared the removal of President Patrice Talon, who has been in power since 2016, and announced the suspension of all state institutions.
Identifying themselves as members of the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), the officers said the committee had resolved that “Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from office as President of the Republic.”
They also announced the suspension of the constitution, the closure of all land borders, and the shutdown of the country’s airspace. According to the broadcast, Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal will head a military transition council.
The whereabouts of President Talon were unknown at the time of the announcement.
In a post on X, the French Embassy in Benin reported hearing gunfire around Camp Guezo, near the president’s official residence, and urged its citizens to remain indoors.
The development comes just days after a reported coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau, where military officers claimed to have taken “total control” of the country following disputed election claims by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition figure Fernando Dias.
