Coup in Benin: Military Takes Control as West Africa Faces Turmoil

A military group in Benin announced the dissolution of the government and removal of the president, marking the latest coup in West Africa. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was appointed leader. The coup follows a recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, highlighting ongoing instability in the region.

In a dramatic development, a group of soldiers appeared on Benin's state television to declare the government's dissolution, signaling an apparent coup. The group, identifying as the Military Committee for Refoundation, announced on Sunday that they had ousted the president and dismantled all state institutions.

Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri has been selected to lead the military committee, a move that underscores the shifting political landscape in the West African nation. This event marks the latest of several coup attempts in the region, reminiscent of Benin's past political upheavals post-independence in 1960.

The coup has stirred concerns following the ousting of President Patrice Talon, who was nearing the end of his term. This development mirrors the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau, reflecting a growing trend of military interventions in West African politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)