Situation 'under control' in Benin after coup attempt

BENIN’S president said the “situation is completely under control” in his country after the government thwarted an attempted coup thanks to loyalist soldiers with support from Nigerian forces.

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A group of soldiers announced Sunday on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon.

That sparked a swift response from loyal army forces, joined by air strikes and troop deployments from neighbouring Nigeria.

Beninese military and security sources said around a dozen soldiers had been arrested, including those behind the coup bid.

West Africa has experienced a number of coups in recent years, including in Benin’s northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.

“I would like to assure you that the situation is completely under control and therefore invite you to calmly go about your activities starting this very evening,” Talon said late Sunday on state broadcaster Benin TV.

Talon is due to hand over power in April next year after 10 years in office marked by solid economic growth but also a surge in jihadist violence.