#coup-attempt

#coup-attempt

President Patrice Talon's governing coalition is projected to strengthen its already powerful position in Sunday's elections, with the main opposition Democrats party barred from the local polls. The streets of economic capital Cotonou were calm as polling stations opened at 7am local time (06:00 GMT) on Sunday, according to the AFP news agency. Polls are scheduled to close at 5pm (16:00 GMT).

Tinubu praised his troops and said they had helped stabilise a neighbouring country. The Nigerian statement came shortly after Talon, the president of Benin, appeared on national television and said his security forces had successfully blocked the attempt to overthrow his government. Talon said forces loyal to him stood firm, recaptured our positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers.

"The Presidency of the Republic wishes to inform the nation and the international community that an attempt to seize power illegally and by force, contrary to the Constitution and to democratic principles, is currently underway," Rajoelina said in a statement released by the presidency Sunday morning.

Mali's military rulers announced the arrest of military and civilian personnel, including two generals and a French agent, accused of attempting to destabilize the country.