Soldiers announce apparent military coup in Benin, President Talon is ‘safe’, says army

A group of soldiers on Benin’s national television claimed to have seized power in the West African nation on Sunday, the latest threat to democratic norms in the unstable region. However, the situation remained unclear with soldiers loyal to Benin’s President Patrice Talon claiming to have foiled the coup attempt to overthrow the government, his office said, adding that the country’s leader is safe.