Soldiers Announce Overthrow of Benin President, shut borders

A group of soldiers on Sunday appeared on Benin’s state television announcing the dissolution of the government in what seemed to be a coup in the West African country.

The soldiers declared the removal of President Patrice Talon, who has led the country since 2016, along with the suspension of all state institutions.

Identifying themselves as members of the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), they said the committee had met and resolved that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

The soldiers, who announced a suspension of the constitution and closure of all land borders and the country’s airspace, said Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal will be leading a military transition council.

The whereabouts of President Talon remained unclear at the time of the announcement.

In a tweet on X, the French Embassy wrote that gunfire was heard at Camp Guezo, located near the president’s official residence, and advised its citizens to stay indoors for safety.

The development comes days after a reported coup in Guinea-Bissau, where a group of military officers claimed “total control” of the country, a day after two leading candidates – President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Fernando Dias – each declared victory.

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