Votes have been cast in Benin where the country is choosing a successor to President Patrice Talon, who is stepping down after a decade in power.

Benin's government has said Sunday's short-lived coup left “casualties on both sides” of the government forces and the mutinous soldiers.

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.

It was a reunion nearly a half century in the making.

For the Talon family, Sunday was a day to celebrate -- a family reunion nearly 50 years in the making.