"Early on Sunday, soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation declared on state television they had toppled Talon, who has been in power since 2016, prompting a swift response from loyal army forces, joined by air attacks and troop deployments from neighbouring Nigeria. Talon first took office in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021. Several West African nations have faced coups in recent years, including Benin's northern neighbours, Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Chad, Guinea"
"A group of soldiers stormed the national television on Sunday morning, claiming to have seized power. Eight soldiers appeared in a broadcast announcing the removal of President Talon, dissolution of the government and suspension of all state institutions. The soldiers said Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri had been appointed president of the military committee. In their televised statement, the coup plotters mentioned the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin coupled with the disregard and neglect of our fallen brothers-in-arms."
President Patrice Talon pledged severe punishment for the soldiers who attempted to seize power and stated the situation is completely under control. The attempted coup unfolded on Sunday in Cotonou, where sporadic gunshots were heard and a heavy military presence remained the next day. A group naming itself the Military Committee for Refoundation declared on state television that it had toppled Talon, announced dissolution of the government, and appointed Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri as head. Loyal armed forces, assisted by Nigerian air attacks and troop deployments, foiled the mutiny, according to Interior Minister Alassane Seidou. Several West African countries have experienced coups recently.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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