In a dramatic turn of events on Sunday, a group of soldiers in Benin took to national television to claim they had seized power, announcing the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of national institutions. The announcement, made by at least eight soldiers — some wearing helmets — also included the temporary closure of air, land, and maritime borders.
The soldiers, led by Colonel Tigri Pascal, read a statement promising to bring the people of Benin “the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice, and work prevail.” They further declared that all political party activities were suspended until further notice.
Despite the bold claims, Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari reassured the public that the situation was largely under control. According to him, only a small faction of the army had attempted to overthrow the government, while the majority remained loyal to President Patrice Talon. The coup plotters reportedly had control of only state television, which was quickly restored later Sunday morning.
Gunfire was reported in several neighbourhoods of Cotonou, the country’s largest city and economic hub, prompting the French embassy to advise citizens to stay indoors for safety.
This incident comes as Benin prepares for a presidential election in April, which would mark the end of Talon’s tenure. In a rare move for the region, Talon had decided to step down after two terms, with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni nominated by the ruling coalition to continue the current administration’s reform agenda if elected.
The attempted coup in Benin is the latest in a troubling trend across West and Central Africa, following Guinea-Bissau’s recent takeover last month — the ninth in the region since 2020 — highlighting ongoing challenges to democratic stability in the area.
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