Benin Republic Presidency Breaks Silence After Soldiers Announced Overthrow of Government
- Soldiers in Benin announced on Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office
- Sources close to Talon insisted he was safe and said the regular army was regaining control
- The attempted coup came amid a wave of military takeovers across West Africa in recent years
Military personnel in Benin announced on Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office.
The declaration was made on state television by a group calling itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR).
Source: Twitter
The soldiers said they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.” Shortly after the announcement, the broadcast signal was cut.
President Talon reported safe
Despite the claims, sources close to Talon told AFP that the president was safe. One source said: “This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure.” They added: “It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well.”
A military source confirmed that the situation was “under control” and that the coup plotters had not taken Talon’s residence or the presidential offices.
The French Embassy in Benin said on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence in Cotonou, the country’s economic capital. It urged French citizens to remain indoors for safety reasons.
Political background of Patrice Talon
Patrice Talon, aged 67, is a former businessman known as the “cotton king of Cotonou.” He came to power in 2016 and is due to complete his second term in 2026, the maximum allowed by the constitution. He had been expected to hand over power in April next year after ten years in office. His presidency has been marked by strong economic growth but also rising jihadist violence.
Talon has been praised for bringing economic development to Benin, yet critics have often accused him of authoritarianism. The main opposition party has been excluded from the race to succeed him, leaving the ruling party to compete against what has been described as a “moderate” opposition.
Benin’s political history has seen several coups and attempted coups. The latest events come against a backdrop of instability in West Africa, where Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau have all experienced military takeovers in recent years.
Speaking with Legit.ng, AbdulRasheed Hussain, a policy analyst based in Nigeria, analysed why democracy is more important than military rule in Benin:
“The soldiers in Benin acted irresponsibly by trying to seize power through force, undermining the will of the people and threatening the country’s stability. Democracy, though imperfect, remains the only legitimate system because it protects rights, ensures accountability, and prevents the concentration of power in unaccountable hands. Coups only breed fear and chaos, while constitutional order offers security and progress. Benin’s resilience in resisting this attempt shows that the future must belong to democracy, not dictatorship.”
Source: Twitter
Names and agency mentioned in connection to alleged coup in Nigeria
Legit.ng earlier reported that reports emerging from multiple media outlets have continued to link prominent individuals and agencies to an alleged coup plot in Nigeria against Tinubu, despite growing denials and silence from official quarters.
Investigations have reportedly led to arrests, raids, and financial trails that point to a network of politically exposed persons and military operatives.
On October 29, 2025, The PUNCH reported that Sylva’s Abuja residence was raided which was later confirmed to be true. During the operation, military operatives reportedly arrested his younger brother.
Source: Legit.ng
