Dozen Soldiers Held as Benin Govt Thwarts Coup Against President Patrice Talon

Dozen Soldiers Held as Benin Govt Thwarts Coup Against President Patrice Talon

Authorities in Benin Republic have arrested about a dozen soldiers following Sunday’s attempted coup, with security and military sources confirming that several of the suspected masterminds are already in custody. According to reliable sources, at least 13 suspects have been detained, including one former service member.

The arrests came after a group of military officers stormed the national broadcaster on Sunday morning, declaring that President Patrice Talon had been removed and that all state institutions had been dissolved. The officers, who identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, claimed to have taken control of government operations.

However, the presidency swiftly debunked the announcement, assuring citizens that President Talon remained safe and that loyal forces had regained control of critical installations.

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“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,” the presidency said.

Government officials have described the uprising as the action of a fringe faction with no real command of state power. The Interior Ministry also confirmed that the coup attempt was foiled within hours, following coordinated military intervention across Cotonou.

The thwarted coup has drawn immediate reactions from regional bodies, with ECOWAS and the African Union condemning the attempted takeover and calling for strict adherence to constitutional order. The incident adds to rising concerns over political instability in West Africa, which has witnessed a wave of military takeovers in recent years, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea-Bissau.

Security analysts say the swift suppression of the rebellion demonstrates the resilience of Benin’s democratic institutions, even as the country remains on high alert for collaborators or remaining pockets of resistance.

Dozen Soldiers Held as Benin Govt Thwarts Coup Against President Patrice Talon