Benin President Patrice Talon condemned an attempted coup that was thwarted by the country’s military on December 7, 2025. His remarks followed reports of sporadic gunfire in the capital, Cotonou, where a group of soldiers briefly announced the dissolution of the government on state television. The soldiers identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, marking another potential coup in a region recently plagued by political instability.
In a televised address, President Talon expressed condolences to the victims of the attempted coup and those still held by the “fleeing mutineers.” He stated, “I assure them that we will do everything in our power to find them safe and sound.” The president’s location during the coup attempt was not disclosed, leading to speculation about the stability of his administration.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed in a video posted on Facebook that the coup had been successfully foiled. He emphasized the commitment of the Beninese Armed Forces to uphold the republic, stating, “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic.” No casualty figures or details regarding hostages were released.
International Support and Regional Reactions
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reacted promptly by deploying troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to support Benin’s military in maintaining constitutional order. ECOWAS condemned the attempted coup as “a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised his country’s armed forces for their swift action in restoring order. According to a statement from the Nigerian government’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Benin had requested air and ground support, which was provided within hours to help secure the national television station and displace the coup plotters.
Local media reported that 13 soldiers involved in the coup attempt had been arrested, although it remains unclear if Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, identified as the coup leader, has been apprehended. While gunfire was reported and soldiers patrolled the streets of Cotonou, the city has since returned to a relative calm.
Historical Context and Political Landscape
This coup attempt is part of a troubling trend in West Africa, where military takeovers have become increasingly common. Just last month, a coup in Guinea-Bissau ousted former President Umaro Embalo following a contested election. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Benin has experienced numerous coups, but it enjoyed a period of political stability since 1991, following the two-decade leadership of Marxist-Leninist Mathieu KéréKou.
President Talon, who has been in power since 2016, is expected to step down in April 2026 after the upcoming presidential election. His party’s choice for a successor, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is currently favored to win. An opposition candidate, Renaud Agbodjo, was disqualified by the electoral commission due to insufficient sponsorship.
In January, two associates of Talon were sentenced to 20 years in prison for their involvement in an alleged coup plot. Compounding political tensions, last month the Beninese legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years while maintaining a two-term limit.
As the government works to stabilize the situation following the foiled coup, the commitment of the Beninese military and the support from ECOWAS may play crucial roles in ensuring the continuation of democratic governance in the country.
