Politics

BREAKING NEWS: Army Topples Government As Military Junta Takes Over in Benin Republic

BREAKING NEWS

Army Topples Government As Military Junta Takes Over In Benin Republic

In a swift move on Sunday morning, soldiers in the Benin Republic seized control of the government, dissolving all state institutions and announcing a new military administration.

In a brief national broadcast on state television, the officers—operating under the name Military Committee for Refoundation—declared that President Patrice Talon and all elected officials had been removed from office. The junta said the action was necessary to “refound” the nation.

President Talon, who has been in power since 2016, had earlier stated he would exit office in April 2026 after the next presidential election. The development comes a year after Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the Republican Guard and a key figure in Talon’s security circle, was arrested over an attempted coup in 2024.

With this takeover, Benin becomes the latest West African nation under military rule. The region has witnessed a wave of coups in recent years, including in Burkina Faso (2022), Guinea (2021), Mali (2020), Niger (2023), and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau in November 2025, where political tension over disputed election claims triggered a military intervention.

The junta in Cotonou has not yet released details of its transition timetable or the fate of the ousted president.

More updates to follow as the situation unfolds.

Olayinka Babatunde

Recent Posts

Osun group alleges plot to stage fresh Accord guber primary, alerts security agencies

  A socio-political group, Imole Accord Vanguard (IMAV), has alleged a plot to illegally organise…

28 seconds ago

Osun 2026:APC adopts Bola Oyebamiji as Governorship candidate

Osun 2026: APC adopts Bola Oyebamiji as governorship candidate Former Managing Director of the National…

1 hour ago

NLC Says Replacing Service Chiefs Alone Won’t End Insecurity

  The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to go beyond reshuffling…

4 hours ago

Tinubu Holds Security Talks with Benue, Kaduna, Cross River Governors

  President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening held separate closed-door meetings with the governors of…

4 hours ago

Tinubu: Terrorism in Nigeria Rooted in Criminality, Extremism — Reject Divisive Narratives

  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that terrorism in Nigeria is driven by criminality…

5 hours ago

CBN Orders PoS Providers to Connect to NIBSS and UPSL Within One Month

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all acquirers, processors, and payment terminal service…

5 hours ago