14 arrested over coup attempt in Benin Republic

No fewer than 14 people have been arrested over a coup attempt in Benin Republic.

No fewer than eight soldiers, several holding weapons, went on state television on Sunday morning to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had taken over and was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution and closing air, land, and maritime borders.

A few hours later, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said the West African country’s armed forces had thwarted the attempted coup.

However, a government spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, disclosed that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt as of Sunday afternoon, without providing details.

Coup: Soldiers dissolve Benin Republic’s government

Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari had earlier told Reuters that “a small group” of soldiers had attempted to overthrow the government but that forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order.

Bakari said the coup plotters had only managed to take control of state television, which was cut after the soldiers read out their statement.

The station resumed broadcasting shortly afterwards, allowing the interior minister to read his statement saying the coup bid had been foiled.

West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the coup attempt.

The attempted coup was the latest threat to democratic rule in the region, where militaries have in recent years seized power in Benin’s neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as in Mali, Guinea and, last month, Guinea-Bissau.

The Star