A military takeover of government appears to be underway in Nigeria’s tiny neighboring country, the Republic of Benin, as a group of soldiers on national television early Sunday are announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of state institutions.
The self-styled Comité Militaire pour la Refondation (Military Committee for Refoundation) said it was taking full control of government in order to “refound” the nation.
In the televised declaration, the soldiers named Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as the leader of their committee.
They announced suspension of the constitution and said that borders would be closed “until security is fully restored.”
Gunfire was reportedly heard near Camp Guézo, close to Talon’s residence, according to France’s embassy in Cotonou.
The French embassy has advised its citizens in Benin to stay indoors while the situation develops.
According to the military committee, their takeover is justified by serious grievances: they cited deteriorating security in northern Benin, alleged corruption in public contracts, and the exclusion of political voices opposed to Talon’s governance.
“Communiqué of the Military Committee for Refoundation. We have met today and deliberated. We hereby declare that Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from office. We are taking responsibility to refound the Republic. The Constitution is suspended. All political parties are dissolved. The borders are closed. We, the Military Committee chaired by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, assume full powers until further notice,” the soldiers said.
The announcement has thrown Benin into deep uncertainty, especially as Talon was due to step down in April 2026 after a decade in power.
Loyalist forces reportedly contest the takeover, making the future of the government dangerously unclear.
If this coup succeeds, it will mark the second power seizure in West Africa within a short period, adding to a troubling pattern across the continent as one civilian administration after other buckles under the weight of military takeovers.
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