COTONOU, Benin — A group of soldiers in the West African nation of Benin announced on state television Sunday that they had successfully removed President Patrice Talon from office, though sources close to the president immediately countered that the uprising was contained and control was being restored by the loyalist army.
Early Sunday, the military personnel, identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), stated on national television that they had convened and concluded that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as President of the Republic.” The broadcast signal was cut later in the morning.
Following the televised announcement, the president’s camp quickly downplayed the coup’s success, asserting that the plotters only held the state broadcaster.
A source close to President Talon informed the AFP news agency that the President was safe, adding:
“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure.”
The source further stated that the situation was rapidly resolving: “It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”
A separate military source confirmed that the situation was “under control” and verified that the coup plotters had failed to seize either Talon’s official residence or the presidential offices.
Security situation in the capital
The atmosphere in the economic capital, Cotonou, remained tense, with reports of localized military activity.
- The French Embassy issued an urgent update via X (formerly Twitter) stating that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence. The Embassy urged French citizens to remain indoors.
- An AFP journalist on the ground reported that soldiers were blocking access to the presidency and state television.
- Access was also restricted to several other sensitive areas, including the five-star Sofitel hotel and districts housing international institutions.
- Despite the checkpoints, residents elsewhere in the city, including at the airport, were reportedly going about their normal routines, and no widespread military presence was noted.
Political context and regional instability
The current upheaval comes just as President Talon, a 67-year-old former businessman known as the “cotton king of Cotonou,” prepares to conclude his second term in office in April 2026, the constitutional limit.
His tenure has been characterized by notable economic growth but has also seen increased jihadist violence in the region.
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Benin, whose political history since its 1960 independence has been turbulent, is the latest West African nation to face a military takeover.
Recent years have seen successful coups in nearby countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.
While Talon has been lauded for his economic policies, critics have frequently accused him of authoritarian tendencies.
The upcoming election to choose his successor is notable, as the main opposition party has been excluded from the race, leaving the ruling party to compete against a so-called “moderate” opposition.
