PNN – Sources close to the President of Benin reported that he is in good health and said the army has once again brought the situation in the African country under control.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, news sources reported on Sunday that a coup had taken place in the African nation of Benin, during which a number of army officers appeared on state television and declared that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power and taken control of the country’s affairs.
Sources close to the President of Benin said after the coup that “Patrice Talon is in full health and the army has regained control of the country.”
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Agence France-Presse, citing military and security sources, reported the arrest of 12 members of the armed forces, including the planners of the coup.
A military official close to the President of Benin told AFP that the coup plotters were “a small group who had seized only the state television building.”
He added that the army has taken control of the situation, and Cotonou—the capital—as well as other parts of the country are completely secure, and the president and his family are safe.
Benin’s foreign minister also told Reuters that a number of soldiers had attempted to carry out a coup, but the situation is under control.
The coup took place as Benin was preparing for its presidential election scheduled for next Farvardin (March–April), an election expected to end Talon’s 10-year presidency.
Talon entered the Benin presidential palace in 2016 and, in a rare occurrence in West African countries, was retained for a second term in the same position.