Dakar/Nairobi, Dec 7, (dpa/GNA) – The French embassy in Cotonou on Sunday, reported gunfire in the vicinity of the presidential palace amid conflicting reports of an attempted coup in the West African state of Benin.
A group of military officers seized the national television broadcaster, and stated that President Patrice Talon had been deposed.
The uniformed officers said the country’s borders had been closed, and Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri had been appointed president of a “military reconstruction commission.”
Other military sources said Talon had been taken to safety, and the situation was under control.
In a post on X, the US embassy in Cotonou said it was monitoring reports of gunfire in the city, as well as unconfirmed reports of a coup by members of the military. It advised US citizens to stay away from the presidential compound, and to monitor local media.
The French embassy advised citizens to shelter at home.
GNA