Situation ‘Under Control’ After Coup Attempt, Says Benin President

Benin’s President Patrice Talon on Sunday declared that the “situation is completely under control” after loyalist soldiers successfully thwarted an attempted coup, restoring stability across the country following hours of tension and public uncertainty.

The attempted takeover began early Sunday when a group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming to have removed Talon from office, a declaration that immediately triggered a coordinated response from loyal army units, regional allies, and neighbouring Nigeria’s air force.

Beninese security sources confirmed that around a dozen soldiers involved in the plot were arrested as the military regained full command of strategic areas in Cotonou. The coup attempt adds to the wave of recent upheavals in the West African region, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.

Authorities noted that although sections of Cotonou experienced gunfire and restricted movement, much of the city remained calm as residents continued their daily routines. The swift reaction of loyal forces, they said, prevented the situation from escalating into wider instability.

A source close to the presidency said the coup plotters never gained control of the presidential residence or key government buildings, describing them as “a small group of people who only controlled the television” before the regular army stepped in to restore order.

“I would like to assure you that the situation is completely under control and therefore invite you to calmly go about your activities starting this very evening,” President Talon said on national television, addressing the nation after security forces confirmed that normalcy was returning.

“The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure. It’s just a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up is progressing well,” a senior official close to the presidency added, emphasising that loyal forces acted swiftly to protect constitutional order.

ECOWAS announced the deployment of troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone to support Benin’s government in safeguarding democratic institutions. The African Union also condemned the attempted coup, urging the soldiers involved to return to their barracks and respect constitutional processes.