Military officers on Sunday announced the takeover of government in Benin Republic, dissolving all state institutions.
The announcement was made during a broadcast on the country’s state television by a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation.
The group declared that President Patrice Talon and all political officeholders had been removed from office, adding that all state institutions had been dissolved.
President Talon has been in power since 2016 and had earlier pledged to step down in April 2026 after the next presidential election.
In September 2024, the commander of the Republican Guard and head of the president’s security, Djimon Tevoedjre, was arrested following an alleged attempted coup.
Benin Republic has become the latest West African country to come under military rule.
Last month, military officers in Guinea-Bissau also seized power following a disputed election in which President Umaro Embaló, who was seeking re-election, and his main challenger, Fernando Dias, both declared victory before the release of official results by the electoral commission.
Other West African countries currently under military rule include Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger.
