President Talon safe, Army restoring order – Benin Republic

The government of Benin Republic has announced that President Patrice Talon is safe and that loyal military forces are moving to restore full control after a group of soldiers declared a coup earlier on Sunday.

Daily Trust had reported how the mutinous soldiers in a broadcast on national television claimed to have removed the president from power, dissolved state institutions and taken control of the country.

Talon, who has been in office since 2016, has previously stated he would complete his mandate and leave office in April 2026 after the next presidential election.

The attempted takeover comes months after Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the republican guard and head of Talon’s security, was arrested in September 2024 over an alleged coup plot.

In a statement, the presidency downplayed the mutineers’ claims, describing them as “a small group of individuals who only control the television station”.

It added that the “regular army is regaining control” and insisted that “the city and the country are completely secure”.

The statement assured citizens that state institutions remain functional and urged the public to remain calm.

The incident adds to a growing list of attempted and successful coups in West Africa since 2020.

In November, soldiers in Guinea-Bissau seized power amid a post-election dispute involving President Umaro Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias, both of whom declared victory before official results were announced.

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