BREAKING: Soldiers Take Over Government in Benin Republic Coup

By Michael Ehindero
A group of soldiers on Sunday announced the dissolution of Benin’s government during a televised broadcast on the state-owned channel.

Identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, the officers declared that President Patrice Talon and all political officeholders had been removed from power, adding that all state institutions now stand dissolved.

Talon, who has led the country since 2016, had previously stated that he would leave office in April 2026 after the next presidential election. His administration has faced increasing tension in recent months. In September 2024, Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the Republican Guard and head of the president’s security detail, was arrested following an attempted coup.

Benin now becomes the latest West African nation to fall under military control.

The announcement follows a similar development in Guinea-Bissau last month, where military officers seized power after President Umaro Embaló and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, both claimed victory despite the electoral commission having yet to release official results.

Other West African countries currently under military rule include Burkina Faso (2022), Guinea (2021), Mali (2020) and Niger (2023).




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