The coup attempt allegedly began in the early hours of Sunday, sources said, with an attack on President Patrice Talon’s official residence in the capital Porto-Novo.
Soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri then took over the national television station and declared that Talon had been “removed from office” and all state institutions.
The group is calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation.
President Talon has been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after the presidential election.
His whereabouts are currently unknown and the French Embassy said on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s home. It urged French citizens to remain indoors for security.
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(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)
