On 7 December 2025, soldiers of the Benin Armed Forces led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri announced the overthrow of Beninese president Patrice Talon on national television, following an attack on Talon's residence in Cotonou. Hours later, Beninese interior minister Alassane Seidou announced that the coup attempt had been thwarted.
Benin has been regarded as "one of Africa's more stable democracies".[1] Benin faced instability during its first years after independence from France in 1960, though no coup has taken place there since its 1991 multiparty election.[2] The governments of Benin's neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso were overthrown in 2023 and in 2022, respectively; other countries in the region affected by coups include Mali and Guinea in 2021, and Guinea-Bissau just the month before.[2]
At the time of the coup, president Patrice Talon, in office since 2016, was due to leave office following elections scheduled in April 2026.[3] In January 2025, two of Talon's associates were sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly plotting a coup against him in 2024.[4]
Timeline
Coup attempt
President Patrice Talon was the target of the coup attempt
In the early hours of 7 December 2025,[5] elements of the Benin Armed Forces launched an attack on Talon's residence in Cotonou. Troops reportedly seized the national broadcaster,[6] the home of Major General Abou Issa,[7] and a group of eight soldiers declared on state television that Talon had been "removed from office as president of the republic". They also announced the suspension of the constitution and state institutions, and identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (French: Comité Militaire pour la Refondation) headed by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri.[8][4]
The soldiers cited multiple reasons for staging the coup, such as Talon's management of the country, favoritism in the military, neglect for soldiers killed while under duty and their relatives, and the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin, cuts to healthcare, increased taxes and restrictions on political activity. Several journalists working at the station were held hostage.[1][9] After the announcement, the signal to state television and public radio was shut off but was restored later in the day.[4]
The Embassy of France in Benin later said on X that "gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo" near the president's home, The CMR later announced that all borders were closed, and that all political parties were suspended,[8] Meanwhile, soldiers loyal to Talon claimed that he was safe, but his whereabouts were unknown, and that the "regular army" was "regaining control".[3] A presidential adviser later told the BBC that Talon was at the French embassy.[1] Beninʼs foreign minister, Shegun Adjadi Bakari, told Reuters that "there is a coup attempt but the situation is under control", and that "a large part of the army the national guard are still loyal to the president and are controlling the situation."[8] Gunfire was reported near Cotonou, especially near the port and the official presidential residence, and helicopters were observed over the area.[10] Soldiers also blocked access to the presidential residence, state television offices, a five-star hotel and districts housing international institutions.[8]
Romuald Wadagni, the Beninese Minister of Finance, stated that the situation was "under control", "The mutineers are holed up" and "We are clearing them out, but it's not over yet. We are safe."[7]Wilfried Houngbedji, the spokesperson for the Beninese government, stated that "Everything is fine."[11] The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou urged U.S. citizens in Benin to avoid the areas of Cotonou and areas near the presidential compound. The factioned troops were still in control of the state television by 09:00 West Africa Time (UTC+01:00).[12]
Benin's interior minister, Alassane Seidou stated that the Benin Armed Forces thwarted the attempted coup at 11:09.[13] The government credited loyalist troops for suppressing the coup.[1] At least 14 people were arrested, including 12 active-duty soldiers and another who was dismissed. Twelve suspects are believed to have participated in the attack on state television.[8][1]
At 7:37pm GMT, ECOWAS released a statement announcing the deployment of Nigerian, Sierra Leonean, Ivorian, and Ghanaian soldiers to aid the Beninese government in repelling the putschists.[14] The Nigerian Air Force was deployed to Benin to dislodge the putschists from Togbin military camp.[15]
Reactions
The coup attempt was condemned by ECOWAS and the African Union.[8] Neighboring Nigeria called the coup a "direct assault on democracy" and praised Beninese security forces for "defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the president".[1]
Pro-AES and pro-Russian blogger and presidential candidate Kémi Séba expressed his support for the coup while it was ongoing.[16]
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