Benin’s government says a coup attempt has been brought under control after a group of soldiers briefly seized state television early Sunday and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon.
The soldiers, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), declared on the airwaves that they had decided “Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”
The broadcast was cut moments later.
Talon, 67, a former businessman known as the “cotton king of Cotonou,” is expected to hand over power in April after a decade marked by strong economic growth alongside rising jihadist attacks in the country’s north.
A source close to the president told AFP that Talon was safe and dismissed the soldiers’ announcement as the work of a limited faction.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television.
The regular army is regaining control.
The city and the country are completely secure,” the source said, adding that a “clean-up” operation was underway.
A military source also confirmed the situation was “under control,” saying the coup plotters had not seized Talon’s residence or the presidential offices.
The French Embassy reported gunfire near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence, and urged its nationals to remain indoors.
An AFP journalist said soldiers blocked access to the presidency, state television, the Sofitel hotel, and districts housing international institutions.
No military presence was reported at the airport, and much of the city continued functioning normally.
