BENIN REPUBLIC COUP FAILS PRESIDENT TALON SAFE AS ARMY REGAINS CONTROL
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Benin Republic Presidency has confirmed that President Patrice Talon is safe and the regular army is regaining control after a group of soldiers announced a coup early Sunday .
KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
– Coup Attempt Foiled : A small group of soldiers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, announced the removal of President Talon and dissolution of state institutions.
– President Safe : The Presidency confirmed President Talon’s safety, describing the coup attempt as a “small group of people who only control the television”.
– Army Regaining Control : The regular army is regaining control, with the city and country considered completely secure.
– Gunfire and Deployment : Gunshots were heard near Talon’s residence, and armored vehicles were deployed in the presidential palace.
– Previous Coup Attempt : In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the Republican Guard, was arrested following an attempted coup.
– Talon’s Term : President Talon has been in office since 2016 and was set to leave office in April 2026
West Africa has witnessed an uptick in successful and foiled coup attempts since 2020.
Last month, military officers in Guinea-Bissau captured power after President Umaro Embaló, who was seeking re-election, and Fernando Dias, his main opponent, both declared victory in the country’s election even though the electoral commission had not released official results.
Other West African states under military rule include Burkina Faso (2022), Guinea (2021), Mali (2020) and Niger (2023).
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