Government Forces Fend Off Rebel Coup in Benin

The government of the West African nation of Benin says it has foiled a concerted coup attempt by rebel forces in the southern city of Cotonou, restoring control over critical sectors of power.

In the last hour, however, a man identifying himself in a video as Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, the self-proclaimed coup leader against the incumbent government of President Talon, and a figure seen in a now viral video of rebel forces storming a national newsroom, is now requesting support from the civilian population in Benin in an attempt to solidify the coup to seize power over key institutions in the nation's administrative capital.

Tigri pleads in a separate video in which he appears alone before a camera with a tapered sky blue background, asking the civilian population to throw its support behind his rebel forces, claiming that the overthrow has not "failed" as the media has falsely narrated the events, claiming that government forces have not, in fact, regained control over Cotonou.

Tigri also issues a public demand that French security forces not intervene in events in the country.

Benin–previously called Dahomey–was a former French colony for 150 years until the territory gained independence in 1960 and was renamed Benin in 1975 after a Marxist-Leninist overthrow in 1972 by a commander of the Armed Forces.

Early Sunday morning, rebel forces stormed a state-run newsroom and began broadcasting an announcement declaring that the government of President Patrice Talon had been ousted.

Several journalists and newsroom employees were taken hostage for several hours.

Interior Minister Alassane Seidou issued a televised address, stating, "The Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic", throwing water on rumors that the government was in a vulnerable position under the onslaught of mutinous rebels.

Officials representing the French government have also dispelled claims that Beninese government forces took refuge in the French embassy in Cotonou, the country's second largest city and the seat of government power in Benin.

Fourteen people have since been arrested in connection with the attempted coup, according to government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji, when speaking to Reuters.

Although the French government admits the presence of a small French security force stationed in Benin in collaboration with the government's Armed Forces, Paris denies allegations asserted by Niger (Benin's northern neighbor) that claim the French possess a large-scale military base in Benin.