BREAKING: Benin Republic Presidency Says Patrice Talon Safe, Fully in Control

By Tgnews Reporter

The presidency of the Republic of Benin has assured the nation that President Patrice Talon remains unharmed and that loyalist forces are swiftly restoring order following an attempted coup by a faction of disgruntled soldiers.

The upheaval unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, when a group of at least eight military personnel, some donning helmets, seized the state television station in Cotonou, Benin’s commercial capital.

Led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, the insurgents proclaimed themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) and declared that Talon had been “removed from office as president of the republic.”

In a brief broadcast, they announced the dissolution of all state institutions, the suspension of the constitution, and the immediate closure of the country’s air, land, and maritime borders.

The broadcast was abruptly cut off shortly after its airing, signaling the rapid intervention of pro-government troops.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing intense gunfire near Camp Guezo, a military barracks close to Talon’s official residence in Porto-Novo, the political capital.

Armored vehicles were observed patrolling the perimeter of the presidential palace, heightening fears of escalation among residents who took to social media with frantic updates.

A spokesperson for the presidency, speaking on condition of anonymity amid the chaos, confirmed that Talon is “safe and fully in control.”

The official added that the “regular” army—loyal to the constitutional order—had mobilized decisively against the plotters. “The clean-up is progressing well,” the source told reporters, emphasizing that the rebels had failed to capture either the president’s residence or key government offices. Early reports suggest the mutineers numbered only a “small group,” limiting their reach and impact.