COTONOU, Benin — A gaggle of troopers appeared on Benin ’s state TV Sunday to announce the dissolution of the federal government in an obvious coup, the newest of many in West Africa.
The group, which known as itself the Navy Committee for Refoundation, introduced the removing of the president and all state establishments. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri has been appointed president of the navy committee, the troopers stated.
Following its independence from France in 1960, the West African nation witnessed a number of coups, particularly within the many years following its independence. Since 1991, the nation has been politically steady following the two-decade rule of Marxist-Leninist Mathieu Kérékou.
“Every little thing is ok,” Wilfried Houngbedji, the spokesperson for the Benin Authorities, instructed The Related Press with out increasing. There isn’t a official information about President Patrice Talon since gunshots have been heard across the presidential residence. The sign to state tv and public radio was reduce off after the navy announcement.
Talon had been in energy since 2016 and was on account of step down subsequent April after the presidential election.
Talon’s occasion choose, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was the favourite to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral fee on the grounds that he didn’t have enough sponsors.
In January, two associates of Talon have been sentenced to 20 years in prison for an alleged 2024 coup plot.
Final month, the nation’s legislature extended the presidential term of office from 5 to seven years, holding the time period restrict at two.
The coup is the newest in a string of navy takeovers which have rocked West Africa. Final month, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau eliminated former President Umaro Embalo after a contested election wherein each he and the opposition candidate declared themselves winners.
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Adetayo reported from Lagos, Nigeria.
