The apparent leader of a failed coup in Benin is on the run and the fate of hostages remains unclear a day after a group of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government of the West African nation.

Benin President Patrice Talon has condemned an attempted coup that was foiled by the army in his first public comments since sporadic gunfire was heard in parts of the administrative capital, Cotonou.

Two men close to Benin’s president who were arrested last week on suspicions of plotting a coup in the small West African country have been remanded in custody ahead of their trial.

Mutinous soldiers in Niger have declared the general who led a coup as the head of state.

Niger’s president defiantly declared that democracy would prevail, a day after mutinous soldiers detained him and announced they had seized power in a coup because of the West African country’s deteriorating security situation.

French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged security cooperation and support to Benin as it fights rising threats of extremism.