Benin’s government said on Sunday its armed forces had foiled a coup attempt after a group of soldiers in the West African nation claimed on national television to have seized power.
The attempted coup was the latest threat to democratic rule in the region, where the military has in recent years seized power in Benin’s neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea, and, only last month, Guinea-Bissau.
The development adds to a growing pattern of political instability in West Africa .
Benin’s government said on Sunday its armed forces had foiled a coup attempt after a group of soldiers in the West African nation claimed on national television to have seized power.
The attempted coup was the latest threat to democratic rule in the region, where the military has in recent years seized power in Benin’s neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea, and, only last month, Guinea-Bissau.
At least eight soldiers, several wearing helmets, had appeared on state television on Sunday morning and announced that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had taken over and was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution, and closing air, land, and maritime borders.
“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” said a statement read by one of the soldiers.
The outlet, TchadOne, reported that the assault was carried out by a group of soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri.
The situation escalated later in the morning when Tigri appeared on national television, reported to be under military control, declaring himself “chairman of the military re-establishment committee.”
The Nation newspaper recalls that Cotonou remained tense on Sunday, with eyewitness reports of troop deployments around key strategic locations. No official reaction has been issued by President Talon or his administration regarding the attacks.
The development adds to a growing pattern of political instability in West Africa.
Foreign Minister, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, had earlier told Reuters that “a small group” of soldiers had attempted to overthrow the government but that forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order. He said the coup plotters had only managed to take control of state TV.
Gunfire in neighbourhoods
Gunfire could be heard earlier on Sunday in several neighbourhoods of Cotonou, the country’s largest city and economic hub, as residents were trying to make their way to church early on Sunday morning.
The French embassy said on Facebook that gunfire had been reported near Talon’s residence in Cotonou and urged citizens to stay at home.
The coup attempt came as Benin was preparing for a presidential election in April that would mark the end of the tenure of incumbent Talon, in power since 2016.
In their TV statement, the soldiers mentioned the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin “coupled with the disregard and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms.”
Talon has been credited with reviving economic growth, but the country has also seen an increasing number of attacks by Jihadist militants that have wreaked havoc in Mali and Burkina Faso.
In April, Benin’s government said that 54 soldiers were killed in an attack in the north by an affiliate of Al Qaeda.
Last month, Benin adopted a new constitution that extended the presidential mandate from five to seven years, in what critics said was a power grab by the ruling coalition, who nominated Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni to be its candidate.
The opposition Democrats party, founded by Talon’s predecessor Thomas Boni Yayi, saw its proposed candidate rejected because of what a court ruled was insufficient backing from lawmakers.
ECOWAS condemns takeover
The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday condemned what it described as an attempted military takeover in Benin Republic.
This is just as confusion and gunfire were reported in parts of Cotonou following an announcement by soldiers claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon from office.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the regional bloc said, “ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin.
“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
The commission urged respect for Benin’s constitutional order and commended the security forces for their efforts to restore calm.
“ECOWAS calls for the full respect of the Constitution of Benin and salutes the efforts of the government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control,” it said, warning that coup plotters would be held accountable.
“ECOWAS holds the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action,” it added.
The bloc also signalled readiness to intervene if necessary, stating, ”ECOWAS will support the government and the people in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin.”
The statement followed an announcement earlier in the day by a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation.”
Appearing on state television, they declared that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.
Talon’s entourage, however, insisted that the president was secure and that loyalist forces were taking back control.
“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.
The French embassy reported disturbances near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence in the economic capital, noting on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” and advising French nationals to remain indoors.
Talon’s entourage, however, insisted that the president was secure and that loyalist forces were taking back control.
“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.
The French embassy reported disturbances near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence in the economic capital, noting on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” and advising French nationals to remain indoor.
The Nation
