Early this morning in Cotonou, Benin2019s biggest city, a group of soldiers stormed Camp Guezo near the presidential residence and announced on state TV that President Patrice Talon was "removed from office." Gunshots echoed as they took control of the state broadcaster, Benin TV. 🇧🇯🚨
But just hours later, the presidency confirmed that Talon is safe and that loyal government forces have regained control of key installations. Here2019s what you need to know:
- What happened? Soldiers seized Camp Guezo and Benin TV in the early hours.
- Presidency2019s response: President Talon is unharmed and power structures are back in place.
- Current status: Cotonou is calm, but a heightened security presence remains.
- Next steps: Watch for statements from ECOWAS, the regional bloc pushing for stability in West Africa.
Locals are taking to social media platforms like X and Threads to share updates and solidarity messages. With any luck, this crisis will be resolved quickly without major fallout. Stay tuned for more updates! 📲✨
Insights for young pros: Political turbulence can ripple into markets, travel plans, and regional security. Keep an eye on your apps and official channels for travel advisories if you2019re heading to or from West Africa.
Reference(s):
Soldiers stage coup in Benin, Presidency says situation under control
cgtn.com
