Benin’s President Patrice Talon said Sunday that a coup attempt by a group of soldiers had been foiled, and promised the perpetrators would face consequences, Reuters reported.
The announcement came after hours of gunfire shook Cotonou, the country’s largest city, and soldiers appeared on state television claiming they had seized power.
“Forces loyal to the president stood firm, recaptured our positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance held by the mutineers.
“This commitment and mobilisation enabled us to defeat these adventurers and to prevent the worst for our country… This treachery will not go unpunished,” Talon said in a televised address.
The president also expressed concern for victims of the unrest and for people reportedly detained by the mutineers, though no official details on casualties or hostages were confirmed.
The attempted coup marks an unusual challenge to Benin’s stability in a region plagued by military takeovers.
Neighbouring countries Niger and Burkina Faso have seen recent coups, while Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau have also experienced unrest. Benin, however, has remained relatively stable since its last successful coup in 1972.
A government spokesperson Wilfried Houngbedji, said 14 people had been arrested in connection with the attempt. ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc, condemned the plot and said it would deploy standby forces to Benin.
The mutiny began early Sunday when at least eight soldiers appeared on state television, armed and in uniform. They announced the suspension of the constitution, the dissolution of national institutions, and the closure of all borders.
“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” the soldiers said. They cited deteriorating security in northern Benin and alleged neglect of fallen soldiers as reasons for their actions.
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters the soldiers had only briefly controlled the state TV network. Residents reported hearing gunfire near Talon’s residence, while police deployed across the city to restore order.
Benin is preparing for a presidential election in April. Last month, the government approved a new constitution extending presidential terms from five to seven years and creating a Senate.
