Benin was thrust into turmoil early Sunday after armed soldiers stormed the national broadcaster and announced they had removed President Patrice Talon — a declaration authorities now describe as part of a swiftly contained, failed coup attempt.

Benin’s Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari told Reuters that “the situation is under control,” while government spokesman Wilfried Houngbedji assured the Associated Press that “everything is fine.”

The mutinous troops, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, appeared on state television claiming to have dissolved state institutions, shut the country’s borders, and suspended political parties. Their message — broadcast repeatedly for several minutes — pledged allegiance to an officer identified as Lt. Col. Tigri Pascal and announced the formation of a transitional committee.

The dramatic broadcast came shortly after reports of gunfire near Camp Guezo, close to President Talon’s private residence. In an emergency advisory, the French Embassy in Benin warned its citizens to remain indoors, citing “gunfire reported at Camp Guezo.”

Security forces responded quickly. According to officials familiar with the situation, the Republican Guard intervened “within minutes,” neutralizing a group of roughly ten soldiers and securing key infrastructure, including the national broadcaster.

Multiple security officials confirmed that President Patrice Talon is “safe and sound” and has been moved to a secure location. Talon, in office since 2016 and re-elected in 2021, is constitutionally required to step down at the end of his second term next year.

The attempted coup comes amid rising political tension following a controversial legislative vote to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, while maintaining the two-term limit — a move that has heightened anxieties ahead of the contentious 2026 transition.