Benin coup attempt: Here’s what the interior minister confirmed

Benin faced a major security scare on Sunday when a group of soldiers claimed they had taken power from President Patrice Talon.

But the country’s interior minister, Alassane Seidou, said the army quickly stopped the attempted coup and restored calm.

According to Seidou, a “small group” of soldiers started a mutiny early in the day, aiming to destabilise the government and remove Talon from office. He praised the leadership of the Beninese Armed Forces for keeping the situation under control.

Before the military regained control, the mutineers took over the state television station. Acting under the name “Military Committee for Refoundation,” they went on air to announce that President Talon had been removed. They claimed they were taking charge of the West African country.

The announcement caused tension and fear in Cotonou and other parts of the country, especially as Benin has long been seen as one of the more stable countries in the region.

But President Talon’s aides told AFP that he was safe and that security forces were swiftly containing the situation. “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 official close to Talon said.

Talon, who has been in power for 10 years, is expected to hand over power when his term ends in April 2026. His government has been criticised by opponents who accuse him of limiting political freedoms, but he has insisted that his reforms are aimed at strengthening democracy.

Sunday’s events add Benin to the growing list of West African countries struggling with coups and attempted coups in recent years, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.