Benin govt says its armed forces have foiled coup attempt

Cotonou: Benin's govt said on Sunday its armed forces had foiled a coup attempt after a group of soldiers in the West African nation claimed on national television to have seized power.

The attempted coup was the latest threat to democratic rule in the region, where militaries have in recent years seized power in Benin's neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as in Mali, Guinea and, only last month, Guinea-Bissau.

At least eight soldiers, several holding weapons, went on state television on Sunday to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had taken over and was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution and closing air, land and maritime borders. "The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail," said a statement read by one of the soldiers.

A few hours later, interior minister Alassane Seidou said the West African country's armed forces had thwarted the attempted coup. "Therefore, govt urges the population to go about their business as usual," he said. A govt spokesperson, Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, said that 14 people had been arrested in connection with the coup attempt as of Sunday afternoon, without providing details.

Foreign minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari had earlier told Reuters that "a small group" of soldiers had attempted to overthrow govt but the forces loyal to President Patrice Talon were working to restore order. He said the coup plotters had only managed to take control of state TV, which was cut after the soldiers read out their statement. West Africa's regional bloc ECOWAS and African Union condemned the coup attempt. Reuters