Benin's President Patrice Talon said on national television on Sunday that the situation was "under complete control" after security forces moved in and eliminated a coup attempt carried out by a group of military personnel who attacked state institutions. "Treachery will not go unpunished," Talon said. A source from the Nigerian presidency reported that the Nigerian Air Force struck targets in neighboring Benin, apparently in coordination with the Beninese authorities who were working to contain an attempted coup. A government spokesman said that the authorities arrested 14 people in connection with the coup attempt.

Published on: 07/12/2025 - 09:47 Last updated: 07/12/2025 - 16:47

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Benin's President Patrice Talon said on national television on Sunday that the situation was "under complete control" after security forces moved in and eliminated a coup attempt carried out by a group of military personnel who attacked state institutions. "Treachery will not go unpunished," Talon said.

He added, "I assure you that the situation is completely under control, and I call on you to carry out your work in peace this evening. Security and public order will be maintained throughout the country."

The Benin government previously said on Sunday that the armed forces thwarted a coup attempt that took place in the morning, after military personnel appeared on public television announcing the dismissal of President Patrice Talon. This coup attempt comes months before presidential elections scheduled for April, after which the president must hand over power, after two presidential terms.

Interior Minister Alassane Sidou confirmed on television that the coup attempt had failed. He said, “The armed forces in Benin and their leadership are loyal to their oath, and adhere to Republican loyalty.” He added, “It was their reaction that made it possible to regain control and thwart the attempt.”

For his part, a government spokesman said that the authorities arrested 14 people in connection with the coup attempt, while sources close to the president confirmed that he was fine.

It is noteworthy that military personnel reported on state television that President Talon had been “removed” from his position, as Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigre, whose army took control of the state television station, announced himself as head of the Military Committee for the Renewal of the Country.

"The president is safe"

For its part, the army later said that it had regained control of the country and that President Patrice Talon was safe.

The Benin President's circles also confirmed to the French news agency that President Patrice Talon was safe and that the army had regained control of the situation, after the military announced his dismissal on Sunday morning on public television.

A military source close to Talon said, "They are a small group that only controls the television. The regular army has regained control. The city (the capital, Cotonou) and the country are completely safe, as are the president and his family."

The source added, "Everything is under control. They did not succeed in seizing the home of the head of state and the headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic. It is only a matter of time for everything to return to normal. The cleansing process is underway."

“The armed forces thwarted the attempt.”

In turn, the Minister of the Interior confirmed to national television that the coup attempt that the country witnessed on Sunday morning had been “thwarted.”

Minister Al Hassan Sidou stated, “A small group of soldiers carried out the rebellion with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions. In this regard, the armed forces and their leadership continued to control the situation and thwarted the attempt.”

News had been reported that the home of President Patrice Talon, located in the Gizo neighborhood in the capital, Cotonou, had been subjected to a military attack. Soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigre seized the government television station, according to a France 24 correspondent.

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Soldiers had announced on public television that they were "relieving President Talon from his post." Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigre also announced his appointment as head of the "Military Re-establishment Committee."

In addition, the French embassy in Benin urged its citizens to be cautious, as it reported via X on Sunday morning that “gunshots were reported in the Guizo camp, close to the headquarters of the President of the Republic” in Cotonou, calling on the French to remain in their homes “out of caution.”

ECOWAS and the African Union condemn

In a statement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday strongly condemned the attempted military coup in Benin.

The group added that it would support the government's efforts to restore security and order in the country.

In turn, the African Union denounced the coup attempt and said through the head of its commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, on Sunday that it “strongly condemns” the attempted military coup in Benin, and called for respect for the country’s constitution.

Benin's political history has witnessed several coups or coup attempts.

It is noteworthy that Patrice Talon has been in power since 2016, and next year he will end his second term, which is the maximum period allowed according to the constitution.

The largest opposition party was excluded from the presidential elections, which were now confined between the ruling party and an opposition candidate considered “moderate.”

Despite praise for the economic development achieved by Benin during his reign, Patrice Talon is regularly accused by his opponents of having adopted an authoritarian approach in a country previously distinguished by its democratic movement.

The Nigerian army launches air strikes on Benin

A Nigerian presidential source and a military spokesman told Agence France-Presse on Sunday that the Nigerian air force struck targets in neighboring Benin, apparently in coordination with Beninese authorities working to contain an attempted coup.

“The Nigerian Air Force carried out operations in Benin in line with the protocols of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Regional Standby Force,” Air Force spokesman Ehemen Egodami said, adding that the operation “underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional security.”

The nature of the targets hit by the strikes was not immediately clear.

France 24/AFP

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