Soldiers in Benin announced a coup on national television, ousting President Patrice Talon and suspending the constitution. The military cited dissatisfaction with President Talon's governance as justification for the takeover.

• Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal was named head of a military transition council.
• The coup occurred just over a week after President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was overthrown in neighboring Guinea-Bissau.
• President Talon, 67, was scheduled to leave office next year after completing his second term, with elections planned for April.