By: Ashiadey Dotse
A group of soldiers in Benin have announced that they have dissolved the government in what appears to be a military coup. The announcement was made on state television in Cotonou on Sunday.
The Soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, said they had removed the president Partrice Talons and taken control of all state institutions. They also named Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as the new head of the military leadership.
Benin, has experienced several coups in the past, especially after gaining independence from France in 1960. However, the country has enjoyed political stability since 1991. President Patrice Talon has led the country since 2016 and was expected to leave office next April after the upcoming presidential election.
Talon’s preferred successor, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was seen as the frontrunner in the election. Meanwhile, opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified for not having enough sponsors to contest.
Recently, parliament extended the presidential term from five to seven years, although the limit on the number of terms remains unchanged.
This development adds to the growing number of military takeovers in West Africa. Just last week, Guinea-Bissau experienced a coup that ousted President Umaro Embalo following a disputed election.
