The President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has spoken for the first time since an attempted coup on Sunday.
Speaking on national television, Talon assured citizens that “the situation is totally under control.” He blamed the failed takeover on “a small group of soldiers.”
In a televised broadcast several hours earlier, soldiers had announced that they had ousted Talon from power. The announcement sparked tension across the West African nation, prompting Nigeria to deploy military aircraft.
Huge explosions were later heard in the late afternoon, believed to have resulted from an airstrike.on military base in Cotonu.
There have been a series of coups in West Africa prior to Sunday’s thwarted attempt in Benin, heightening fears that regional security could deteriorate further.
