On Sunday, December 7, a group of military forces in Benin announced they had seized power, dissolved the government, and removed President Patrice Talon.
TASS learned of this from the news portal La Nouvell Tribune, which cites a statement read on air by the country's state television and radio company, as reported by a correspondent for the online publication Belnovosti.
According to international media reports, the military, calling itself the “Military Committee for Restoration” (French: Comité Militaire pour la Refondation), seized control of national television and announced on morning broadcasts the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of all state institutions and political parties.
Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri was announced as the leader of the committee.
The whereabouts of ousted President Patrice Talon, who had been in power since 2016, are unknown.
The coup took place amid preparations for presidential elections scheduled for April 12, 2026.
Patrice Talon, who had served two presidential terms, was ineligible to run again.
Earlier in November, Benin's parliament approved constitutional amendments extending the presidential term from five to seven years.
According to the French publication Jeune Afrique, before seizing the television station, the military attempted to storm the presidential residence but was repulsed.
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