BREAKING: Coup hits another West African country

A fresh bout of political upheaval has struck West Africa, coming just days after soldiers seized control in Guinea-Bissau. This time, a group of troops appeared on Benin Republic’s state broadcaster to announce that they had dissolved the government in what appears to be a coup.

The faction, identifying itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation, declared on Sunday that the president and all state institutions had been removed.

President Patrice Talon, who has governed since 2016, had been expected to leave office next April following the presidential election. His party’s chosen contender, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, had been widely seen as the frontrunner. Meanwhile, opposition hopeful Renaud Agbodjo was barred by the electoral commission, which ruled that he lacked the required number of sponsors.

In a separate development last month, lawmakers approved an extension of the presidential mandate from five to seven years, although the two-term limit remains unchanged.

More details to follow….