Cotonou, Benin – President Patrice Talon of Benin announced late Sunday that a coup attempt by a group of military personnel had been successfully thwarted. The government, in collaboration with the armed forces, acted swiftly to regain control, averting a potential crisis in the West African nation.
Talon’s announcement came after reports of gunfire in several districts of Cotonou, the country’s largest city. Earlier in the day, a group of soldiers appeared on state television, declaring the president’s removal from power and their takeover of the government.
In a televised address, President Talon stated that the rapid mobilization of forces loyal to the government was instrumental in “recovering key locations and eliminating the last pockets of resistance” held by the insurgents. He firmly stated, “This act of treason will not go unpunished.” The President also expressed solidarity with the victims of the coup attempt and those allegedly held captive by the rebels, though specific details were not provided.
The incident underscores the fragile security situation in the region. Neighboring countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, have experienced a wave of coups in recent years. Guinea-Bissau also faced a similar event last November. This attempted coup is particularly noteworthy in Benin, which has maintained relative stability and has not experienced a successful coup since 1972.
The government has initiated investigations to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the attempted coup. Further details are expected to be released as the situation unfolds.
