A coup attempt was thwarted early this morning in Benin after a group of about ten soldiers stormed the national television station.
The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), appeared on state TV and announced the removal of President Patrice #Talon from office, the dissolution of government institutions, and the suspension of the constitution.
Lt.-Col. Pascal Tigri was declared head of the new military authority.
Shortly after, it was reported that the coup attempt led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri has been thwarted.
The presidential office told the AFP news agency that Talon was safe and that the army was regaining control.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television,” his office said. “The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure.”
Talon has been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after the presidential election.
