Benin Military announces Coup, Ousting President Patrice Talon
COTONOU, BENIN – Benin’s military announced a coup d’état on national television Wednesday, effectively removing President Patrice Talon from power. Soldiers cited concerns over corruption and governance as justification for seizing control of the West African nation.
The coup follows a contested election cycle and increasing political tensions in Benin, adding too a wave of military takeovers that have destabilized the region. The move throws the future of Benin – a nation once considered a stable democracy – into uncertainty and raises concerns about the potential for further unrest. The economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and international partners are expected to condemn the coup and demand a swift return to constitutional order.
President Talon, who came to power in 2016, secured a second term in the recent election, though the process was marred by controversy. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified by the electoral commission due to insufficient sponsorship. Talon’s favored status and the exclusion of a key rival fueled accusations of a rigged election.
Recent political developments included legislative changes extending the presidential term from five to seven years,while maintaining a two-term limit. In January, two associates of President Talon received 20-year prison sentences following convictions related to an alleged 2024 coup plot.
This latest coup joins a series of similar events in West Africa,including a recent military intervention in Guinea-Bissau last month following a disputed election. The unfolding situation in Benin underscores the fragility of democratic institutions in the region and the growing influence of military actors in political affairs.
