Country plunged into turmoil after military overthrow broadcast live

Porto Novo (The Uttam Hindu) – On Sunday, some military groups in the West African country of Benin claimed a coup. The group, calling itself CMR (Military Committee for Refoundation), said on state television that they had met and decided to remove President Patrice Talon from office.

The Guardian.ng, citing reports, said Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal and a group of soldiers have declared a coup in the Republic of Benin, claiming to have ousted incumbent President Patrice Talon. A statement read by one of the soldiers on Sunday said, "The army is fully prepared to give the people of Benin a new hope, where fraternity, justice and your hard work will prevail." One of the soldiers was accompanied by half a dozen others, many of whom were wearing helmets.

The announcement comes after two coups in just a few months in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Benin borders Niger and Burkina Faso to the north, where the military is also in control. The announcement came as Benin prepares for presidential elections in April, which will end the term of Patrice Talon, who has been in power since 2016. The president's office said he was safe and that the bulk of the military was with him. Foreign Minister Olusegun Adaji Bakari said the rebels had only seized national TV, which was shut down for a few minutes, but the situation was under control.

Benin's political history has been marked by numerous coups and attempted coups. Talon, who came to power in 2016, is a 67-year-old former businessman known as the "Cotton King" of Cotonou. He has been praised for bringing economic development to Benin, but critics often accuse him of authoritarianism.