Attempted coup d’état: Adrien Houngbédji condemns and reaffirms his support for Patrice Talon

In a video statement released to the public, the former president of the National Assembly, Me Adrien Houngbédji, strongly condemned the attempt to overthrow the institutions and expressed his unconditional support for President Patrice Talon.

“I watched with the greatest indignation this morning on Bénin TV the footage of the attempted military coup carried out by rogue soldiers against the republican institutions of our country, against the regular defense forces and against the Head of State,” the political leader said.

In the early hours of the day, a small group of soldiers had burst into the national television station to announce the removal of the democratically elected president, the end of the current regime and the creation of a supposed Comité Militaire de la Refondation (CMR).

In their improvised message, they said they were suspending all political activities and closing the country’s land and air borders.

For Me Houngbédji, this attempt is completely at odds with the course Benin has followed for decades. “Our country has definitively turned its back on violence and force as a means of gaining power,” he recalled, denouncing an irresponsible and dangerous action for national stability.

The former head of Parliament finally called on citizens to remain mobilized in support of the constitutional order, praising the swift reaction of loyalist forces that made it possible to neutralize the mutineers and restore control of the institutions.