Coup rocks Benin Republic as power struggle hits West Africa

MILITARY personnel in Benin Republic announced on Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office, though his entourage insisted he remained safe and that loyalist forces were restoring order.

Appearing on state television, soldiers identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) declared that they had convened and resolved that, “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”

The development comes amid a wave of instability in West Africa, following recent coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, and earlier takeovers in neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

The French Embassy reported on X that gunfire had erupted at Camp Guezo, near the president’s official residence in Cotonou, urging French nationals to remain indoors.

However, Talon’s office downplayed the situation, describing the mutineers as a small faction that had briefly seized the national broadcaster.

“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” an aide told AFP, adding that the president remained safe.

Benin has a turbulent political past marked by multiple coups and attempted coups. Talon, in power since 2016, is due to complete his second and final term in 2026. With the main opposition excluded from the succession race, the ruling party is expected to face a “moderate” opposition in the next election.

Talon, 67, a wealthy businessman known as the “cotton king” of Cotonou, is credited with steering economic reforms but has faced persistent accusations of authoritarian tendencies from critics.

Nigeria’s recent experience

An attempt was allegedly made recently to overthrow Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. Thirty suspects, including senior military officers, are being tried in both civil courts and military court martials, Premium Times reported.

The coup, according to Premium Times, was led by Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq, who was born on January 3, 1974, Also in the list is Colonel M.A. Ma’aji, a Nupe native from Niger State, who was born in 1976.

Colonel S. Bappah is also in the list of the alleged coup plotters. Mr Bappah from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. He was born on 21 June 1984. Also named is Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu from Kaduna State. He was born on 13 August 1983.

Also in the list is Lt. Colonel M. Almakura, member of the 56 Regular Course. He is from Nasarawa State and was born on 18 March 1983.