Mali Voice

Your English-language guide to Mali's news landscape — clear, credible and up to date.

Mali Voice

Your English-language guide to Mali's news landscape — clear, credible and up to date.

Benin presidency maintains control after attempted military coup

The government of Benin has announced that it remains in command following a reported coup attempt on Sunday. While a group of soldiers claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon during a broadcast on national television, the presidency later confirmed that the situation was being brought back under control.

President Patrice Talon was expected to finish his tenure in this West Africa coastal nation next April, ahead of the scheduled presidential elections. While the country has enjoyed steady economic growth, it has recently been challenged by an increase in extremist violence in its northern territories.

<p>Le président béninois Patrice Talon, à Paris le 9 novembre 2021</p>” width=”480″ height=”320″ fetchpriority=”high” src=”https://www.lalibre.be/resizer/v2/VSKNXHH5Z5DRFJD26R5W5OJNJY.jpg?auth=3085cc339ea6b326225940d5b44bc81ba43d637df7a1c142744825a852f27916&width=1200&height=800&quality=85&focal=122%2C81″></span></span></figure>

<h2>Restoring order in Cotonou</h2>
<p>The region has witnessed several military takeovers since 2020, with <strong>Mali</strong>, <strong>Burkina Faso</strong>, <strong>Niger</strong>, <strong>Guinea</strong>, and <strong>Guinea-Bissau</strong> all experiencing political upheavals. On Sunday, a military unit calling itself the “Committee for Military Refoundation” (CMR) took to the airwaves to declare that <strong>Patrice Talon</strong> had been removed from office. Shortly after the announcement, the state television signal was cut.</p>

<p>Despite these claims, sources close to the presidency stated that the head of state is secure and that the loyalist military is re-establishing its grip. They described the insurgents as a small faction that briefly gained access to the television station, asserting that <strong>Cotonou</strong> and the wider country are now safe.</p>

<h3>Security measures and political context</h3>
<p>The <strong>France</strong> embassy issued a warning via social media, noting reports of gunfire near the president’s private home in <strong>Cotonou</strong> and advising citizens to remain indoors. Military officials later confirmed that neither the presidential palace nor the leader’s residence had fallen into the hands of the mutineers.</p>

<p><strong>Benin</strong> has a long history of political instability, marked by various coup attempts over the decades. <strong>Patrice Talon</strong>, who has led the country since 2016, is currently serving his second and final term as permitted by the <strong>Benin</strong> constitution. While credited with modernizing the economy, his administration has faced criticism from those who believe the country is moving toward authoritarianism, especially following the exclusion of major opposition parties from upcoming races.</p></body>
<div class=Benin presidency maintains control after attempted military coup
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