On Sunday (Dec 7), Benin President Patrice Talon announced that government and armed forces had successfully foiled a coup attempt in Cotonou, the country’s largest city and commercial hub. 🎯
Gunfire erupted across several neighborhoods as a group of mutinous soldiers briefly seized the state television station and declared Talon removed from power. 🔥
Loyal forces stood firm, recaptured key positions and cleared the last pockets of resistance. “This treachery will not go unpunished,” Talon said in a televised address, vowing justice for those involved.
So far, 14 people have been arrested in connection with the plot, according to government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji.
At Talon’s request, Nigeria deployed air force jets and sent ground troops to secure Benin’s airspace and help retake the state media network. 🚁
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union condemned the coup attempt, with ECOWAS ordering the immediate deployment of its standby force, including troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana. 🌍
Benin covers roughly 110,000 square kilometers and is home to about 14 million people. Since embracing democracy in the 1990s, it has been one of West Africa’s most stable nations, with the last successful coup occurring in 1972.
President Talon was first elected in March 2016 and won a second term in April 2021. He closed his address urging unity and resilience as Benin moves forward. 🤝
Reference(s):
Benin's president says situation under control after coup attempt
cgtn.com
