The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States on Sunday condemned an attempted military coup in Benin after a group of soldiers briefly seized the national television station and claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon.
The officers, who identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, appeared on state TV early Sunday, announcing the dissolution of state institutions and declaring Talon removed from office.
The group was reportedly led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, whom local media said declared himself “chairman of the military re-establishment committee.”
According to Beninese outlet TchadOne, the soldiers attacked Talon’s residence in the Le Guézo neighborhood before taking control of the national broadcaster.
The TV signal was later cut as regular forces moved to restore order.
In a statement, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yousouf “strongly and unequivocally” condemned the coup attempt, calling it a grave violation of AU principles.
He warned that military involvement in politics “constitutes a severe breach of the fundamental values of the African Union,” and cited the AU Constitutive Act and other continental instruments that prohibit unconstitutional changes of government.
The AU urged the coup plotters to cease all illegal actions, return to the barracks and respect Benin’s institutions.
Yousouf also expressed concern over the continent’s rising number of coups, saying they undermine democratic progress and weaken state authority.
ECOWAS said it received the news “with consternation,” condemning the attempt as an attack on the democratic will of Benin’s citizens.
The bloc praised government forces for quickly containing the situation and warned that those responsible would be held accountable for any harm caused.
“ECOWAS will support the government and people of Benin in all necessary forms, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin,” the commission said.
