The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has condemned what it terms "an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin."

This comes after a group of soldiers announced on state television early Sunday that it had removed President Patrice Talon from power, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the West African nation's legislative bodies. They cited deteriorating security in the country's north as the primary cause of their actions.

Talon, 67, is serving his second and final five-year presidential term, and is expected to leave office in April 2026.

The Beninese presidency, the country's interior ministry, and the foreign ministry denied reports of a successful coup attempt, saying a larger section of the military swiftly moved in to thwart the attempted ouster of President Talon.

'Subversion of the will of Beninese people'

Sounds of gunfire were heard in the commercial capital Cotonou, which is also the seat of government.

In a statement, following the Sunday happenings, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it "strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin."

ECOWAS added it was calling for "the full respect of the Constitution of Benin and salutes the efforts of the Government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control."

The regional bloc further said it was holding "the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action."

'All forms of support'

"ECOWAS will support the Government and the people in all forms necessary to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin," the regional body, comprising 12 countries including Benin, said.  

Meanwhile, the Beninese government said it had brought the "situation under control."