COTONOU — In a sudden and dramatic move, soldiers in Benin Republic have announced the overthrow of President Patrice Talon’s government, plunging the country into political uncertainty. The announcement came early Sunday via state television, with the soldiers declaring that all state institutions had been dissolved and that the military had assumed control.
Identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), the group named Lieutenant‑Colonel Pascal Tigri as the head of the new administration. The takeover followed reports of gunfire near President Talon’s residence in Porto‑Novo, though his current whereabouts remain unclear.
This development marks the latest in a worrying trend of military interventions in West Africa, raising concerns among regional and international observers. The coup has sparked widespread anxiety, with citizens and foreign governments awaiting further updates.
The situation is unfolding rapidly. The Pivot will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as the story evolves.
