News of a coup has emerged in the West African country of Benin. Officials say the situation has been brought under control

News of a coup emerged in Benin, a West African country, on Sunday morning (December 7th) local time. Some military personnel issued a statement through national television, announcing the dismissal of President Talon and claiming to have established a "Military Reconstruction Committee".

The statement said that the committee held a meeting on the 7th and, after deliberation, decided to remove Talon from his position as president.

In response to this coup situation, the office of the President of Benin later told AFP that President Patrice Talon is currently safe and the military is regaining control. The presidential office emphasized: "This is only a few people controlling the television station." The city and the whole country are safe.

On the same day, the French Embassy in Benin confirmed through social media that gunshots had been heard at the Gezo barracks near the presidential residence in Cotonou.

Benin is located in the central-southern part of West Africa, covering an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometers and having a population of about 14 million. It has always been regarded as one of the more peaceful and secure countries in West Africa. President Talon was elected in March 2016 and won re-election in April 2021.