Coup attempt for Benin Republic - Wetin we know

Di Republic of Benin on Sunday 7 December experience attempted coup as residents begin panic sake of gunshots for Camp Guezo, near di residence of President Patrice Talon.

France Embassy for di kontri don urge dia citizens to stay safe sake of di gunshots.

For statement on Sunday, dem urge dia citizens to remain for dia homes as safety measure until further notice while di situation dey fully clarified.

"We recommend say you follow updates regularly and stay alert to official communications for di coming hours. Tank you for your vigilance and cooperation," di statement tok.

Local sources say di shots wey dem believe say na live ammunition bin create fear among pipo wey dey live around di area, as many rush indoors as security activity intensify.

For di midst of di confusion, one faction within di Beninese military wey call demsefs Military Committee for Refoundation appear for state TV and announce say dem don take control of state authority, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal. Dem justify dia actions by criticising President Talon management of di kontri.

Security presence around di Presidency don increase, and movement within central Cotonou dey currently dey restricted as authorities attempt to stabilise di situation.

Meanwhile, di army claim say dem don regain control of di capital, Cotonou.

Dem don reportedly take President Patrice Talon to safety.

"Dis na small group of pipo wey only get television. Di regular army dey regain control. Di city (Cotonou) and di kontri dey totally secure, so also di president and im family," one military source close to Patrice Talon tell AFP.

Benin dey expected to hold presidential elections for April 2026.. President Talon don promise say e no go seek third term and don already name pesin wey go succeed am.

Coups for Africa in recent times

Africa don witness resurgence of military coups for recent years, and dis dey unsettle democratic progress across parts of di continent. Di trend become more visible for August 2020, wen Mali experience coup, followed by anoda one for May 2021.

Shortly afta, Chad experience military takeover for April 2021 afta di death of President Idriss Déby. Guinea bin join di list for September 2021, wen soldiers remove President Alpha Condé from power.

Di wave spread into di Sahel, wia Burkina Faso bin record two coups for di same year - first for January 2022 wen Lt Col. Paul-Henri Damiba overthrow President Roch Kaboré, den again for September 2022 wen Captain Ibrahim Traoré overthrow Damiba.

For Niger, military junta comot President Mohamed Bazoum for July 2023. Gabon follow for August 2023, wen the military bin end di long-standing Bongo administration shortly after one disputed election.

Sierra Leone bin experience attempted coup for November 2023, and Congo-Brazzaville bin face coup rumours for September 2023, wey authorities deny.

Rumours of coup for Nigeria also spread for October 2025 but authorities deny am.

Most recently na di coup wey take place for Guinea-Bissau wia di military comot Umaro Sissoco Embaló a day bifor di electoral commission suppose announce results of di kontri presidential election.

Di Guinea-Bissau military bin suspend di electoral process and block di release of di results, as dem insist say dem prevent plot to destabilise di politically unstable kontri.

Dis rising pattern reflect deeper issues: insecurity, governance failures, economic hardship, and public distrust for political institutions.