Troopers within the West African nation of Benin have introduced on nationwide TV that they’ve ousted President Patrice Talon and seized energy.
A message from the French embassy in Benin mentioned gunfire had been reported close to the residence of the president in the primary metropolis of Cotonou.
The troopers additionally introduced a suspension of the structure, the closure of all land borders in addition to the nation’s airspace.
In line with their assertion, Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal shall be main a navy transition council.
They justified their actions by criticising President Talon’s administration of the nation.
Talon, 67, is because of step down subsequent 12 months after finishing his second time period in workplace, with elections scheduled for April.
A businessman referred to as the “king of cotton”, he first got here to energy in an election in 2016. He had promised to not search a 3rd time period and had already named a successor.
The French Embassy has urged its residents to remain indoors for his or her security.
This obvious coup in Benin comes simply over per week after Umaro Sissoco Embaló was overthrown as president in close by Guinea-Bissau.
Lately, there have been a number of coups in West Africa, together with in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, heightening fears that the safety of the area might worsen.