Benin is the latest African country to experience a coup. Here is a look at other military takeovers

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Benin has joined a growing list of African countries where military officers have seized power since 2020.

In a familiar scene across West Africa, a group of soldiers appeared on Benin ’s state TV on Sunday announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon and the dissolution of the government following the swift takeover of power.

Talon, in power since 2016, was due to step down next April after the presidential election.

The condition of the president was not immediately clear. Wilfried Houngbedji, the spokesperson for the Benin Government, told The Associated Press that “everything is fine,” without expanding.

The group of soldiers, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, announced Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as president of the military committe