Cotonou, Benin — December 7, 2025: Benin’s government announced on Sunday that it successfully thwarted an attempted military coup, after a small group of soldiers briefly seized control of state television to announce the removal of President Patrice Talon.

According to Interior Minister Alassane Seidou, the soldiers launched a mutiny “aimed at destabilizing the country and its institutions,” but loyal forces quickly regained control. “The Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt,” Seidou said in a public statement.

The Foiled Coup Attempt

Early Sunday, a group calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) appeared on Benin’s state TV, proclaiming that President Talon had been removed from office. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was appointed head of the military committee.

The soldiers justified the attempted takeover by citing the “continuous deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin,” neglect of soldiers killed in action, and “unjust promotions at the expense of the most deserving.”

AFP correspondents reported hearing gunfire near presidential offices and state television buildings in Cotonou, although life in other parts of the city largely continued as normal. Access to key locations, including the Sofitel hotel and districts housing international institutions, was restricted, while no military presence was reported at the airport.

A source close to President Talon confirmed that the president, a 67-year-old former businessman known as the “cotton king of Cotonou,” was safe and condemned the coup plotters as “a small group of people who only control the television.”

International Responses

The US Embassy in Cotonou advised American citizens to avoid the area around the presidential compound and maintain a low profile, while the French Embassy recommended that its nationals stay indoors. Spain, Italy, and other countries posted emergency contacts for citizens.

Regional and international bodies also reacted swiftly. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called the attempted coup “unconstitutional” and a “subversion of the will of the Beninese people.” The African Union condemned the attempt and urged the soldiers to return to their barracks.

Historical Context: Coups in Benin

Benin, which gained independence from France in 1960, has experienced multiple coups and attempted coups in its post-independence history. Political stability returned after 1991, following the end of the two-decade rule of Marxist-Leninist leader Mathieu Kérékou.

President Talon came to power in 2016 and has overseen significant economic growth, though his administration has also faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies. Talon was scheduled to complete his second term in 2026, after which the ruling party will compete against a so-called “moderate” opposition, as the main opposition party was excluded from the upcoming election.

West Africa’s Recent Coup Trend

Benin’s foiled coup is part of a troubling pattern of military takeovers in West Africa and beyond, often triggered by disputed elections, constitutional changes, security concerns, and youth unrest. Notable recent examples include:

• Mali (2020 & 2021): Soldiers overthrew Presidents Ibrahim Keïta and Bah Ndaw, with Col. Assimi Goita consolidating power.
• Burkina Faso (2022): Two successive coups saw Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba and Capt. Ibrahim Traoré take control.
• Niger (2023): Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, creating a regional crisis.
• Guinea-Bissau (2025): Soldiers seized power following a disputed presidential election.
• Madagascar (2025): Military intervention occurred after public protests over water shortages and power outages.
• Chad, Guinea, Gabon, Sudan: All countries have experienced military interventions in the past few years, further destabilizing the region.

Analysts warn that the increasing frequency of coups in West Africa threatens democratic governance, regional security, and foreign investment.

What Comes Next for Benin

Hours after the announcement of the coup, security forces regained control, and authorities confirmed that approximately a dozen soldiers, including the leaders of the attempted takeover, had been arrested. With the situation stabilized, Benin’s government is now focused on restoring normalcy and maintaining public confidence ahead of the presidential election scheduled for April 2026.