Benin’s interior minister said on Sunday armed forces had foiled a coup attempt after a group of soldiers in the West African nation claimed on national television to have seized power.
The attempted coup was latest threat to democratic norms in the region, where the military have in recent years seized power in Benin’s neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, only last month, Guinea-Bissau.
similarly, President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga in a post on Facebook says the coup has been foiled.
According to Onanuga, “mutineers in military uniform, who attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon’s democratic government on Sunday in the Republic of Benin, have failed. The mutineers seized the National TV after failing to enter President Talon’s residence.”The latest report from Cotonou said the National Guard has taken control of the situation and surrounded the television station. According to 24 Hours In Benin, discussions are underway with the mutineers, now holed up inside the station” he said.
At least eight soldiers, several wearing helmets, went on state television to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had taken over and was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution and closing air, land and maritime borders.
“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” said a statement read by one of the soldiers.
However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said in a statement later on Sunday that the West African country’s armed forces had thwarted the attempted coup.
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari had earlier told Reuters that “a small group” of soldiers had attempted to overthrow the government but that forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order.
CREDIT: Reuters