The president of Benin, Patrice Talon, appeared on national television on Sunday to announce the failure of the coup attempt, assuring that “the situation is totally under control.” According to military and security sources, a dozen soldiers were arrested, including the perpetrators of the coup attempt.

First modification: 07/12/2025 - 13:51

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This is the epilogue of a day of great political uncertainty in Benin. Hours after the military coup attempt on Sunday, December 7, the president of the African country Patrice Talon appeared on national television to announce the failure of the coup attempt.

“I want to assure you that the situation is completely under control and, therefore, invite you to continue with your activities calmly starting tonight, since security and public order will be maintained throughout the national territory,” said the Beninese president, in power since 2016.

Patrice Talon's announcement Sunday night came about 12 hours after the first shots were heard in several neighborhoods in Cotonou, Benin's largest city, and the military appeared on state television to say they had removed the president.

The rapid mobilization of forces loyal to the Government “allowed us to thwart these adventurers,” said Patrice Talon, who specified that “this betrayal will not go unpunished.”

In parallel, military and security sources indicated to the AFP agency that a dozen soldiers were detained. According to the same security source, the perpetrators of the coup attempt are among those detained.

Furthermore, in his speech, the president of Benin mentioned people “held by the fugitive mutineers” and assured that “they will be found safe.”

ECOWAS also announced that it had “ordered the immediate deployment of elements of the Reserve Force”, troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana, in order to support “the Government and the Republican Army of Benin” and “preserve the constitutional order”.

A coup d'état announced... and frustrated

In the early hours of Sunday, an attempted coup d'état began with an attack on the official residence of President Patrice Talon in Cotonou. Then soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri took over the national television station and declared that Talon had been "removed from his duties."

"The army solemnly undertakes to restore to the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where brotherhood, justice and work prevail," said a statement read by one of the soldiers, flanked by half a dozen others.

"The Constitution is suspended. All institutions are dissolved and the activities of political parties suspended until further notice," the uniformed men said.

"The Committee deliberated and decided the following: Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from his position as President of the Republic. Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri is appointed President of the Military Committee for the Refoundation of the Republic, effective today in Cotonou," the uniformed officers stated.

The French Embassy indicated in

The US Embassy also indicated that it was "monitoring reports of shootings in Cotonou, as well as unconfirmed data of a coup d'état by the military."

By mid-morning, the streets were practically empty, armored military vehicles were driving through Cotonou and it was difficult to access various online media outlets.

Later, a source close to the Beninese military, who requested anonymity, said that forces loyal to Talon had regained control and indicated that the president was safe.

No details were immediately known about the whereabouts of the head of state or the exact magnitude of the clashes that took place in the capital.

“This is a small group of people who only control television,” his office said. "The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely safe."

The Republican Guard managed to restore order at the public television headquarters and, according to local media.

The Minister of the Interior and Public Security of Benin, Alassane Seidou, in a speech announced that the attempted coup d'état by a group of soldiers in that West African country failed.

"In the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers mutinied with the aim of destabilizing the State and its institutions. Faced with this situation, the Beninese people and their leaders, faithful to their oath, maintained their commitment to the Republic," said Seidou in a brief message broadcast on public television.

"Their response allowed them to maintain control of the situation and thwart the attempt," the minister stressed.

"Therefore, the Government invites the population to continue their activities normally," Seidou added, without providing further details.

What are the background of this situation?

Patrice Talon, 67, has been in power since 2016. He launched a political and economic program focused on the country's development, but his critics say he eroded democracy.

In 2021, two of the head of state's main adversaries, Joël Aivo and Reckya Madougou, were sentenced to ten and twenty years in prison, respectively.

The current president was scheduled to leave office in April 2026 after the presidential elections, given that he had exhausted the two five-year terms provided for by the Constitution.

The candidate chosen by his party, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, was the favorite to win the elections. The opponent Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission for not having sufficient endorsements.

Last month, the country's legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years, while maintaining the single-term limit.

Read alsoGuinea-Bissau: an atypical coup and accusations against the ousted president

What happened in Benin is part of a broader dynamic of forceful seizures of power in West Africa. Last week, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau removed former president Umaro Embaló from power, after an election marked by controversy and by the fact that both he and his opposition opponent declared themselves winners.

With AFP, AP, EFE and local media

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