Benin’s President Patrice Talon announced on Sunday evening that government forces, working alongside the army, had thwarted a coup attempt carried out by a group of soldiers, vowing that those responsible would be punished.
The announcement came roughly 12 hours after gunfire was heard in several neighbourhoods of the capital, Cotonou, and soldiers appeared on state television declaring that the president had been removed from power.
In a statement broadcast on national TV, Talon said the swift mobilisation of loyal forces had enabled the government to stop the attempt.
A government spokesperson told Reuters that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the events, without providing further details.
The attempted coup comes as the country prepares for a presidential election in April, which is expected to bring an end to Talon’s tenure, in office since 2016.
