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The African Union “strongly and unequivocally” denounced the military coup attempt in Benin, stating in a release on Sunday that it also called on the soldiers to remain in their barracks.
A faction of soldiers declared on state television earlier Sunday that they had removed Benin’s President Patrice Talon from power. However, shortly afterwards, it was reported that the president was unharmed and condemned the coup conspirators.
In the AU’s statement shared on X, chairperson of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, urged “all parties involved in the coup attempt to halt all illegal actions immediately and to return without delay to their rightful barracks and professional duties.”
Previously, Beninese Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said on national television that an attempted coup by “a small group of soldiers” had been thwarted and asked citizens to continue with their everyday activities.
He added that the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, “loyal to their oath,” remained loyal and that “their response made it possible to keep control of the situation and to thwart the manoeuvre.”
A faction of Beninese soldiers announced on Sunday via the state broadcaster that they had ousted President Patrice Talon and appointed Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri to head a newly established “Military Committee for Refoundation.”
The soldiers announced the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of all institutions and political parties, indicating they would also close Benin’s borders.
Talon, a former businessman, has been the president of the West African country since 2016 and was re-elected for a second term in 2021.
