Coup attempt in Benin / The government announces that it foiled the attempt by a group of soldiers / Gunfire in the country's largest city
Several soldiers appeared on Benin's public television to announce that they had seized power. PHOTO: BTV screenshot
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters that “a small group” of soldiers had tried to topple the government, but that forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order.
Benin's government said on Sunday that its armed forces had thwarted an attempted coup after a group of soldiers in the West African country claimed on national television that they had seized power.
It is the latest coup attempt in this region. In recent years, the military has seized power in neighboring Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as in Mali, Guinea and, just last month, Guinea-Bissau.
At least eight soldiers, some wearing helmets, appeared on state television early Sunday morning to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had seized power and would dissolve national institutions, suspend the constitution and close air, land and sea borders.
“The army solemnly pledges itself to give the people the hope of a truly new era in which brotherhood, justice and work prevail,” read a statement read by one of the soldiers.
However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said hours later that the West African country's armed forces foiled the coup attempt.
“Therefore, the government urges the population to go about their business as usual,” he said.
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari earlier told Reuters that “a small group” of soldiers had tried to topple the government, but that forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order. He said the plotters only succeeded in taking control of state television.
Armed conflicts in several neighborhoods
On Sunday morning, gunfire was heard in several neighborhoods of Cotonou, the country's largest city and economic center.
The French embassy announced on Facebook that gunfire had been heard near Talon's residence in Cotonou and urged citizens to stay at home.
The coup attempt comes as Benin prepares for presidential elections in April, which would mark the end of current President Talon's term in power since 2016.
In their televised statement, the soldiers noted the deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin, “along with the disdain and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms”.
Jihadist attacks
Talon is credited with reviving economic growth, but the country has also seen a growing number of attacks by jihadist militants who have also wreaked havoc in Mali and Burkina Faso.
In April, Benin's government said 54 soldiers were killed in an attack in the north of the country by an Al Qaeda-affiliated group.
Last month, Benin adopted a new constitution that extended the presidential term from five to seven years, in what critics described as a power grab by the ruling coalition, which nominated Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as its candidate.
The candidate of the opposition Democratic Party, founded by Talon's predecessor Thomas Boni Yayi, was rejected by a court citing insufficient support from lawmakers.
