By Ayo Kehinde
A group of military officers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri on Sunday announced a coup live on national television, declaring the removal of President Patrice Talon following a reported attack on his residence in Cotonou.
The officers, operating under the name Military Committee for Refoundation, proclaimed that they were “dismissing” President Talon from office, with Tigri declaring himself the new leader of the country.
President Talon, who has been in power since 2016, was expected to leave office next April after the forthcoming presidential election.
Before the coup, Talon’s party had endorsed former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as its preferred candidate and the favourite to win the election. Meanwhile, opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified by the electoral commission for allegedly lacking the required number of sponsors.
