COTONOU, Benin — In a dramatic turn of events, Benin’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou announced on Sunday that the nation’s armed forces successfully thwarted an attempted coup d’état aimed at destabilizing the country and its institutions.
According to Minister Seidou, a small faction of soldiers initiated a mutiny that prompted immediate action from the Beninese Armed Forces. “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt,” he stated.
The incident unfolded when a group of soldiers appeared on state television, proclaiming that they had seized power. However, the government swiftly responded, with loyalist troops and national guards regaining control shortly thereafter. Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari confirmed that the coup plotters had managed to briefly take control of state TV, but their signal was cut within minutes, quelling the uprising.
“There is an attempt, but the situation is under control. Now it’s a small group of military. A large part of the army is still loyalist, and we are taking over the situation,” Bakari assured during an interview with Reuters.
The attempted coup has raised concerns about the stability of the West African nation, which has faced political tensions in recent years. Authorities are now working to ensure the safety and security of the country as they investigate the motives behind the mutiny.
As the situation develops, the Beninese government is urging citizens to remain calm and vigilant.