COTONOU – In a dramatic turn of events, a faction of soldiers declared on Benin’s national television that they have seized control of the government, marking yet another coup in the West African region.

This group, identifying itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation, proclaimed the ousting of the current president along with the dissolution of all governmental institutions. The soldiers announced that Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri has assumed leadership as the head of this new military committee.

Benin, which gained its independence from France in 1960, has experienced numerous coups, particularly in the years following its independence. However, political stability has been maintained since 1991, after the rule of Marxist-Leninist leader Mathieu Kérékou, which spanned two decades.

The Benin Government spokesperson, Wilfried Houngbedji, assured The Associated Press that “everything is fine,” though he did not provide further details. Following reports of gunfire near the presidential residence, there has been no official update concerning President Patrice Talon’s status. After the military’s proclamation, the broadcast signals for state television and public radio were abruptly cut.

President Talon, who has been in office since 2016, was scheduled to conclude his term next April with the upcoming presidential election.

Talon’s party pick, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was the favorite to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have sufficient sponsors.

In January, two associates of Talon were sentenced to 20 years in prison for an alleged 2024 coup plot.

Last month, the country’s legislature extended the presidential term of office from five to seven years, keeping the term limit at two.

The coup is the latest in a string of military takeovers that have rocked West Africa. Last month, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau removed former President Umaro Embalo after a contested election in which both he and the opposition candidate declared themselves winners.

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Adetayo reported from Lagos, Nigeria.