In a speech broadcast on the ‘Benin’ television channel, he stated: “With the army, we have managed to completely cleanse the country of those involved in the rebellion and suppress the resistance.” According to the statement released in a live broadcast, Tigray will lead a transitional military council named the ‘Military Committee for Reconstitution (CMR).’ Forces affiliated with the council took control of the national broadcasting and television authority on Sunday morning and broadcast the statement live on BTV.
In turn, media reports revealed that the National Guard is resisting the rebels entrenched inside the headquarters of the national broadcasting and television authority and has arrested those involved in the operation. Gunfire was heard near Talon’s residence, whose location remains unknown, and the French embassy urged citizens to stay in their homes.
President Patrice Talon has been in power in Benin since 2016 and was scheduled to step down in April next year after the presidential elections. This move follows previous coup attempts, including the January 2025 conspiracy involving his aides, who were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
