A major political crisis has broken out in the Benin Republic after armed soldiers launched a coordinated operation in the early hours of Sunday, taking control of both the president’s residence and the national television station.
The country woke up to uncertainty as troops surrounded strategic locations in Cotonou and announced that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office.
The coup began at dawn when a group of military personnel stormed Talon’s private residence in the Le Guézo axis of the capital.
Residents in the area reported seeing heavily armed troops moving into the neighbourhood, while others said gunshots were heard as the soldiers advanced toward the building.
The situation escalated rapidly, triggering panic across nearby districts.
A few hours later, the same group of soldiers appeared live on national television, confirming that the presidency had been taken over and declaring the creation of what they called the “military re-establishment committee.”
The broadcast was led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who introduced himself as the new chairman of the committee and announced that all arms of government had been suspended pending further directives from the military leadership.
According to the soldiers, the intervention was necessary due to what they described as the country’s deteriorating governance structure, alleged corruption within government institutions, and a growing disconnect between the leadership and the citizens.
They claimed the administration had failed to address the widening socio-economic concerns affecting the nation, and insisted that the military was stepping in to “restore order and national stability.”
Cotonou has since descended into tension, with increased military presence at key government buildings, major intersections, and sensitive security points.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that troops have been moving across the capital in convoys, tightening their grip on vital installations to prevent any possible counter-offensive by forces loyal to the president.
The atmosphere remains charged as residents watch events unfold with uncertainty and concern.
At the moment, President Talon’s whereabouts remain unknown, and neither he nor any member of his administration has issued a formal statement responding to the takeover.
The silence from the civilian government has only deepened speculation about whether the president has been detained, escaped, or is negotiating behind the scenes as the military continues to consolidate its control.
This development deals a significant blow to Benin’s image as one of the more stable democracies in West Africa.
The country has long been viewed as an example of political calm in a region troubled by repeated disruptions, but the sudden military action now places Benin among the growing number of West African states struggling with democratic instability.
The apparent coup also adds to concerns about the rising frequency of military interventions across the region.
With several countries — including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau facing similar upheavals in recent years, analysts fear that West Africa is sliding deeper into a cycle of political uncertainty that threatens long-term peace and governance.
As of this report, the situation in Cotonou remains fluid, and citizens have been urged to stay indoors while tensions continue to rise.
The hours ahead are expected to determine whether the coup solidifies or whether loyalist forces regroup to challenge the military takeover.
In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported the military insurrection in Guinea-Bissau, where soldiers moved against the civilian administration in November, further highlighting the region’s growing struggle to maintain constitutional order.