Benin coup try to oust President Talon foiled by loyalist troops, minister says

[ad_1] Paul Njie ,

Thomas Naadi , BBC Africa reporters and

Lucy Fleming

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2a84/live/76de4280-d34f-11f0-be87-cf8bc955dceb.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="BTV Screengrab of soldiers talking on national TV in Benin. They are in fatigues, some with guns." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> BTV The troopers appeared on state TV early on Sunday morning to say they had been suspending the structure

Benin's inside minister has appeared on nationwide TV to announce that an tried coup within the West Africa nation has been thwarted.

Earlier, a bunch of troopers, led by Lt-Col Pascal Tigri, had made a broadcast saying that they had ousted President Patrice Talon and suspended the structure.

In social media posts, the French embassy in Benin mentioned gunfire had been reported close to the residence of the president in the primary metropolis of Cotonou, which is the seat of presidency. Eyewitnesses instructed the BBC that that they had heard gunshots and a few journalists working for the state broadcaster had been held hostage.

A presidential adviser has since instructed the BBC that the president is secure and is on the French embassy.

"Early on Sunday morning, 7 December 2025, a small group of troopers launched a mutiny geared toward destabilising the state and its establishments," Inside Minister Alassane Seidou mentioned

"Confronted with this example, the Beninese armed forces and their management, true to their oath, remained dedicated to the republic. Their response allowed them to retain management of the state of affairs and foil the try," he mentioned.

"The federal government subsequently urges the inhabitants to go about their actions as regular."

Helicopters have been seen flying over Cotonou and roads are blocked with a heavy army presence on a number of streets within the metropolis.

Benin, a former French colony, has been thought to be considered one of Africa's extra steady democracies.

It is without doubt one of the continent's largest cotton producers, however ranks among the many world's poorest nations.

The French and Russian embassies have urged their residents to remain indoors for his or her security.

The US embassy's recommendation was to keep away from Cotonou, particularly the realm across the presidential compound.

The troopers main the tried coup justified their actions by criticising President Talon's administration of the nation.

"The military solemnly commits to offer the Beninese individuals the hope of a really new period, the place fraternity, justice and work prevail," mentioned an announcement learn by one of many troopers.

Talon, who's 67 and thought to be a detailed ally of the West, is because of step down subsequent 12 months after finishing his second time period in workplace, with elections scheduled for April.

A businessman referred to as the "king of cotton", he first got here to energy in an election in 2016. He promised to not search a 3rd time period and has endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his successor.

Talon has been praised by supporters for overseeing financial growth, however his authorities has additionally are available in for criticism for suppressing dissenting voices.

In October the electoral fee barred the primary opposition candidate from standing on the grounds that he didn't have sufficient sponsors.

Final month, a number of constitutional amendments had been handed by MPs, together with the creation of a second parliamentary chamber, the Senate.

Phrases of workplace for elected officers had been prolonged from 5 to seven years, however the presidential two-term restrict remained in place.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/d8db/live/23b1f160-7bc6-11ef-84ec-b7c3b5e6690e.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="AFP Beninese President Patrice Talon attends a joint press conference in Cotonou on July 27, 2022," class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> AFP President Patrice Talon, a businessman referred to as the "king of cotton", has mentioned he intends step down subsequent 12 months after two phrases in workplace

This coup try in Benin comes simply over per week after Umaro Sissoco Embaló was overthrown as president in close by Guinea-Bissau.

In recent times, there have been a number of coups in West Africa, together with in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, heightening fears that the safety of the area may worsen.

Russia has strengthened its ties with these Sahel nations over current years - and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have left the West African regional bloc Ecowas to kind their very own group, the Alliance of Sahel States.

In line with BBC Monitoring, information of the coup try was hailed by a number of pro-Russian influencer accounts on social media.

Benin has seen an increase in jihadist exercise lately, as teams linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda unfold to the south.

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