The political situation in Benin has escalated - the country's military announced on state television that President Patrice Talon has been ousted from power. They announced the suspension of the Constitution, the closure of all land borders and airspace, and the temporary transfer of power to the military council headed by Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal.
The French Embassy in Benin also issued an emergency statement. It was reported that gunshots were heard near the president's residence in Cotonou, and French citizens were urged not to leave their homes for safety reasons.
The group, which called itself the "Military Committee for Perestroika," stated on television that a special meeting was held, at which a decision was made to remove Patrice Talon from the presidency.
At the same time, sources close to Talon say that the head of state has been transferred to a safe place. The presidential office told AFP:
"This is just a small group that occupies television. The main troops are returning the situation to control. The city and the country are safe."
67-year-old Patrice Talon said he intends to leave his position next year. He is a major entrepreneur who came to power in 2016 and is known in the country as the "king of cotton." The second term was supposed to last until the spring of 2026.
The coup took place against the backdrop of political instability in West Africa. Just ten days ago, President Umaro Sissoko Embalo was overthrown in neighboring Guinea-Bissau. In recent years, the seizure of power by the military in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea has also raised serious concerns about security in the region.
Benin has now become another link in this chain of instability - how the situation will change is still unknown.
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