Benin’s President Patrice Talon is safe and the army is regaining control, after a group of soldiers said they had ousted him from power, the presidency told AFP on Sunday.
Confirming the development, Shegun Bakari, Foreign Affairs Minister Republic of Benin said:
“Yes, a coup is underway. A large part of the army and national guard are still loyal to the state and in control of the situation.”
At the outbreak of the coup this Sunday morning, the planners had taken hostage the workers of the state-owned TV station.
The Presidency said the move was made by a small number in the Military.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television,” President Patrice Talon’s office said. “The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure.”
The government said that the armed forces foiled an attempted mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions.
The Minister of Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, after soldiers announced earlier in the day on state broadcaster, Benin TV, that President Patrice Talon had been “removed from office.”
According to the Minister, the armed forces and their command, “faithful to their oath,” responded in a republican manner and were able to keep the situation under control.
