Benin Republic was thrown into uncertainty on Sunday after a group of soldiers appeared on state television to announce that they had overthrown President Patrice Talon and dissolved all government institutions.
The soldiers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), declared that they had taken control of the country, citing the need to “refound the nation” and restore order. The televised announcement came shortly after heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential residence in Cotonou.
According to eyewitnesses, armed units breached the perimeter of the president’s home in what security sources described as a coordinated assault. As of press time, the whereabouts of President Talon remain unknown, and neither the presidency nor the army’s high command has issued an official response.
The self-declared junta named Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as the head of the transitional authority. In their broadcast, the officers announced the suspension of the constitution, dissolution of parliament, and closure of national borders until further notice.
The attempted takeover follows months of political tension. In recent years, Benin—once regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies—has faced rising discontent, including a foiled coup plot in 2024 and subsequent arrests of high-profile political and military figures. President Talon, who previously announced he would not seek a third term in 2026, had been under growing pressure from both domestic critics and former allies.
Regional bodies and international observers are closely monitoring the situation. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), already stretched by a series of coups across the Sahel, is expected to issue a formal statement later today.
As events unfold, residents in Cotonou report a heightened military presence across key installations, including roadblocks and patrols near government buildings. Many citizens remain indoors amid uncertainty about what comes next.
This is a developing story.
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