The group, identifying itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation, declared on Sunday, December 7, that President Patrice Talon and all state institutions had been removed with immediate effect.
The statement, read by uniformed officers, said the takeover was necessary to restore what they called the integrity of Benin’s democratic process.
One spokesman said the committee had acted to protect national stability and prevent what they viewed as an erosion of public trust in the political system.
ADVERTISEMENT
President Talon, who took office in 2016, was set to leave power next April following the upcoming presidential election.
His preferred successor, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, had been widely expected to emerge as the frontrunner.
The main opposition figure, Renaud Agbodjo, was disqualified by the electoral commission after failing to secure the required number of sponsors, prompting criticism from civil society groups and international observers.
Critics argued that the revision risked tilting the electoral landscape in favour of the ruling establishment.
ADVERTISEMENT
The soldiers did not provide details on the transitional arrangements or the duration of military oversight, leaving questions about how Benin will navigate the next phase of its political future.
