Beninese authorities have arrested around a dozen soldiers following an attempted coup that briefly disrupted national broadcasts on Sunday, military and security sources told AFP.
According to one source, 13 individuals were detained, including a former member of the armed forces, while the rest are serving soldiers.
The arrests came hours after a group of military officers appeared on Benin’s national television, declaring that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power and dissolved all state institutions.
The officers, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, claimed they had seized control of the government. Their televised announcement triggered immediate concern across the region, which has seen a series of coups in recent years.
However, Benin’s presidency swiftly reassured the public, confirming that President Talon was safe and that loyalist forces had moved to restore order. Officials dismissed the attempted takeover as the actions of a fringe faction with minimal influence.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” the presidency said.
Regional and international reactions are expected as details of the foiled coup continue to unfold.
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