Beninese people, my dear compatriots,
I am addressing you this evening because our country has today experienced events of the utmost seriousness. Indeed, a small group of soldiers, under the pretext of false claims, initiated a mutiny aimed at attacking the institutions of the Republic and destabilizing our nation, thereby calling into question our democratic order. Such an attempt would have plunged our country into a reckless and disastrous adventure.
It would have brought an abrupt halt to the development process our nation has begun, thanks to the efforts of all its daughters and sons. In such circumstances, my republican duty compels me, in my capacity as President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and guarantor of national stability, to take the appropriate measures to thwart the actions of adventurers seeking to drag us back into a sorrowful past.
I have therefore, in coordination with the leadership of the defense and security forces, undertaken the necessary actions to maintain peace and ensure the security and calm of everyone across the entire national territory.
I wish to salute the sense of duty of our army and its leaders, who have remained republican and loyal to the nation. Together, we stood firm, regained positions, and cleared the last pockets of resistance from the mutineers. This commitment and mobilization enabled us to defeat these adventurers and spare our country from the worst.
This wrongdoing will not go unpunished. I take this opportunity to congratulate our defense and security forces as a whole for their sense of duty. At the same time, I wish to express my concern for the victims of this senseless adventure as well as for those still held by the fleeing mutineers.
I assure them that we will stand together to find them safe and sound.
My dear compatriots, I also want to express my deep gratitude to you—both at home and abroad—for your active support and the many messages of encouragement throughout this day. They reassured us and gave us the necessary strength to stand firm for our Benin, which indeed has a soul.
Finally, I want to assure you that the situation is fully under control and invite you, therefore, to calmly resume your activities as of this very evening. Security and public order will be maintained throughout the national territory to guarantee freedom of movement for all.
Long live the Republic, long live Benin.
Thank you.
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