Benin’s government says coup attempt ‘foiled’ after soldiers claimed to have seized power | World News

Benin’s government says its armed forces have “foiled” an attempted coup after soldiers claimed on national television they had seized power.

Interior minister Alassane Seidou said in a Facebook video that on Sunday morning “a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilising the state and its institutions”.

“Faced with this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic.”

A government spokesperson said 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt as of Sunday afternoon. They did not provide further details.

Earlier, a group of at least eight soldiers had appeared on state television to announce the dissolution of the West African country’s government in an apparent coup.

The “military committee for refoundation” said the country’s president Patrice Talon had been removed and it had taken over.

Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal had been appointed the group’s president, the soldiers added.

The committee said it was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution, and closing land, air and sea borders.

“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” said a statement read by one of the troops.

But foreign minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari said the coup plotters only had control of state TV.

The signal for both state television and public radio was cut off but has since been restored.

Gunfire was heard in several neighbourhoods in Cotonou, the country’s largest city and economic hub, including near Mr Talon’s presidential residence. There has been no official news about his whereabouts.

The French embassy said on Facebook that gunfire had been reported near Mr Talon’s home and it urged citizens to stay at home.

The US embassy also urged people to stay away from the area, monitor local media for updates, and avoid crowds and demonstrations.

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It comes as Benin prepares for a presidential election next April, after Mr Talon announced he was stepping down, having been in power since 2016.

The ruling coalition had nominated finance minister Romuald Wadagni as its candidate for the contest.

Last month, the country extended the presidential term of office from five years to seven, while keeping a two-term limit.

In January, two associates of Mr Talon were sentenced to 20 years in prison for an alleged coup plot in 2024.

In recent years, the military has seized power in two of Benin’s neighbouring countries Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea, and, last month, Guinea-Bissau.