On Sunday, a group of soldiers in Benin announced the dissolution of the government on state television. The group, identifying itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation, declared the removal of the president and all state institutions.
Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was appointed as the president of the newly formed military committee.
Former President Patrice Talon had held office since 2016 and was scheduled to conclude his term in April of the following year, preceding a presidential election. Romuald Wadagni, the former Finance Minister, was the favored candidate of Talon's party for the upcoming election. Concurrently, opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission due to insufficient sponsors.
Last month, the country's legislature modified the presidential term, extending it from five to seven years while retaining a two-term limit.
This event in Benin follows a series of military takeovers that have occurred in the West African region. This includes a recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau, which resulted in the removal of former President Umaro Embalo after a disputed election.