*As govt says coup attempt thwarted by loyal forces
WorldStage– A group of soldiers on Sunday announced the dissolution of government of the Republic of Benin in a coup attempt.
The group, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, made the announcement on Benin’s State TV.
They announced the removal of the president and all state institutions, saying Lt.-Col. Pascal Tigri has been appointed president of the military committee.
The apparent coups is amidst multiple coups witnessed in the decades following the country’s independence from France in 1960.
The President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, who had been in office since 2016 had earlier promised to leave office in April 2026, after the presidential poll.
It will be recalled that the commander of the republican guard and head of Talon’s security, Djimon Tevoedjre, was in September 2024 arrested following an attempted coup.
There has been no official proof of success of the alleged coup as at the time of filing this report.
If proven successful, Benin will become the latest West African country to fall under the control of a military junta.
COUP ATTEMPT THWARTED
The Benin Republic government says the armed forces have foiled an attempted mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions.
The Minister of Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
A group of soldiers announced earlier in the day on state broadcaster Benin TV that President Patrice Talon had been “removed from office.”
According to the minister, the armed forces and their command, “faithful to their oath,” responded in a republican manner and were able to keep the situation under control.
He called on the public to continue with their normal activities.
