Soldiers in Benin on Sunday broadcast a dramatic announcement on state television declaring they had deposed the country’s president, Patrice Talon.
The officers, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, said they had convened and decided: “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”
The CMR also declared the dissolution of the government and all state institutions, signalling a complete upending of the existing political order.
Their statement came after what was described as an assault on the president’s residence, a military operation that reportedly included troops seizing control of national broadcasting and storming key security installations in the capital.
As the announcement aired, the whereabouts of President Talon remained unknown.
Meanwhile, the French Embassy in Benin warned on X that there had been “gunfire … at Camp Guézo,” an area near the president’s official residence, and advised French citizens in the country to stay indoors for their safety.
The unfolding events sent shockwaves across Porto‑Novo and beyond. The abrupt removal of President Talon, who had led Benin since 2016 and was due to leave office in April 2026 after a decade in power the fragility of political order in parts of West Africa, where military interventions have surged in recent years.
At the time of writing, the international community is monitoring closely. Details are still emerging: the CMR has not outlined a clear transition plan, and there is no official confirmation of Talon’s status or alternatives for governance.
The uncertainty facing ordinary citizens, including the fate of institutions, security, and governance, looms large.
