Benin coup attempt updates: Interior minister says coup attempt thwarted

Benin’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou says the country’s armed forces have thwarted an attempted coup. His statement came after soldiers appeared on state television and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon, the closure of borders and the suspension of political parties.

Government officials, however, later said the army was regaining control and the situation was under control. Talon first took office in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021. The 67-year-old is due to step down at the end of his second term next year, the maximum allowed by the constitution.

There's no smoke without fire. The wave is getting stronger in the subregional block. The electorates are getting wiser day by day, and leaders are not ready to change the game plan to meet the basic needs of the citizenry. It is nothing but simple basic needs citizens are demanding from government. Let's keep our fiber cross, it is not over until it's over.