The army of Benin announced on television that they have taken power, dismissing President Patrice Talon, and suspending the constitution.

The army of Benin announced, through the national television, that it has carried out a coup, dismissing President Patrice Talon and suspending the constitution. Gunfire was heard near the presidential residence, and the soldiers declared that the country will be provisionally led by Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal, through a transitional military council. They justified the action by dissatisfaction with the way the country was administered by Talon, who was set to end his term in 2026.

The coup comes shortly after a similar incident in Guinea-Bissau, highlighting a worrying trend of military instability in the West African region, where several countries, such as Burkina Faso and Mali, are led by military governments.