A group of military men in Benin Republic claimed that they have ousted President Patrice Talon from power.
The coup attempt which began in the early hours of Sunday, sources said, started with an attack on the residence of President Patrice Talon in the capital Porto-Novo.
Soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri then took over the national television station and declared that Talon had been “removed from office”.
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Report has it that a group of soldiers, calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” announced the dissolution of the government on state TV.
President Patrice Talon’s status is unclear. The soldiers claimed Talon had been removed from power, but his whereabouts are unknown. But, there was report of gunfire near Talon’s residence and heavy security presence in key areas.
Meanwhile, Benin’s interior minister, Alassane Seidou, said that the Army had thwarted an attempted coup by a group of soldiers who said they had ousted President Patrice Talon.
“A small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilising the country and its institutions.
“Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt,” said Seidou.
A source close to Talon told AFP that the president was safe and condemned the coup plotters as “a small group of people who only control the television.”
“The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” his office told AFP.
On the streets of Cotonou, the situation remained unclear by midday on Sunday.
AFP correspondents reported hearing gunfire while soldiers blocked access to the presidential offices, even as residents elsewhere went about their business.
A military source confirmed that the situation was “under control” and the coup plotters had not taken either Talon’s residence or the presidential offices.
An AFP journalist in the economic capital said soldiers were blocking access to the presidency and state television.
Access to several other areas, including the five-star Sofitel in Cotonou and districts housing international institutions, were also blocked.
But there was no military presence reported at the airport and the rest of the city.
