Soldiers announce apparent military coup in Benin

"COTONOU, Benin A group of soldiers has appeared on Benin's state TV announcing the dissolution of the government in an apparent coup, the latest of many in West Africa. The group, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, on Sunday announced the removal of the president and all state institutions. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri has been appointed president of the military committee, the soldiers said."

"President Patrice Talon had been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after the presidential election. Talon's party pick, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was the favorite to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have sufficient sponsors. Last month, the country's legislature extended the presidential term of office from five to seven years, keeping the term limit at two."

Soldiers appearing on state television announced the dissolution of Benin's government and the removal of the president, naming their group the Military Committee for Refoundation. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was appointed president of the military committee. Patrice Talon had been in power since 2016 and was scheduled to step down next April after the presidential election. Talon's party candidate, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was favored to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission for lacking sufficient sponsors. The legislature recently extended the presidential term from five to seven years while retaining a two-term limit. The coup follows a string of military takeovers in West Africa, including last week's removal of Umaro Embalo in Guinea-Bissau.

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