Benin slipped into uncertainty on Sunday after a group of soldiers announced on state television that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office in what authorities described as an attempted coup.
The soldiers, who identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), claimed they met earlier in the day and resolved that “Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from office as President of the Republic.” Their broadcast interrupted regular programming on national TV and immediately sparked confusion across the country.
Talon, who was expected to leave office in April after completing a decade in power, has not been seen publicly since the announcement. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The French Embassy in Cotonou warned its citizens to stay indoors, citing reports of gunfire near Camp Guezo, located close to the president’s official residence. The embassy said the situation remained fluid and urged residents to avoid movement until security forces restore order.
As of Sunday evening, the Beninese government had not issued a formal statement, but diplomatic sources described the situation as a “developing security threat.” Movements around key government buildings were restricted as security personnel attempted to regain control.
The attempted takeover marks one of Benin’s most serious political disruptions in recent years, coming at a time when West Africa has witnessed a wave of military interventions in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea.
