Benin’s government announced that it has thwarted an attempted coup by a small group of soldiers. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said the mutineers tried to destabilise the country and its institutions, but the Beninese Armed Forces quickly regained control. The incident unfolded on Sunday in Cotonou, the nation’s economic capital, where witnesses reported hearing gunfire.
The coup attempt began when a military faction calling itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) announced on state television that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. The broadcast was cut later that morning. President Talon’s entourage promptly confirmed that he was safe, and the regular army declared that it had restored order in the city and the country. A source close to the president told AFP that the situation was returning to normal and that a “clean‑up” operation was under way.
President Talon, who has been in office for ten years, is scheduled to hand over power in April next year. His tenure has been marked by solid economic growth but also a surge in jihadist violence. The main opposition party has been excluded from the upcoming election, leaving the ruling party to face only a “moderate” opposition. The failed coup has underscored the political tensions ahead of the presidential vote.
The government maintains that the situation is under control and that both the city and the country remain secure. It has not released further details about the attempted coup or the measures being taken to prevent similar incidents. Given Benin’s strategic location in West Africa and its role in regional stability, the international community is likely to watch the developments closely. As events unfold, the government’s ability to maintain control and ensure a peaceful transition of power will be closely monitored.
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