Soldiers in the West African state of Benin have announced that they have ousted President Patrice Talon and seized power.
The soldiers also announced the suspension of the constitution, the closure of all land borders, and the closure of the country’s airspace.
The French embassy in Benin said gunfire had been reported near the residence of the president in the main city of Cotonou.
Officials close to the president say he is fine and that the small group of soldiers at the TV station did not have the backing of the regular army.
“The situation is under control. A large part of the army is still loyalist – and we are taking over the situation,” Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters news agency.
Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal will lead a military transition council, according to a statement by the soldiers. They justified their actions by criticising President Talon’s management of the country.
