The government of Benin has declared that an attempted military coup has been thwarted, following a dramatic morning where soldiers seized control of the national broadcaster to announce they had taken power.
Soldiers seize airwaves in apparent takeover bid
In a startling development on Sunday, 7 December 2025, a group of at least eight soldiers appeared on Benin's state television. Identifying themselves as the "military committee for refoundation", they announced the dissolution of the government and the removal of President Patrice Talon, who has led the West African nation since 2016.
The soldiers declared that Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal had been appointed as the group's president. In a statement read by one of the troops, they committed to ushering in a "new era" for the Beninese people. The committee said it was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution, and closing all land, air, and sea borders.
Government asserts control as gunfire rings out
However, the Beninese government swiftly countered the soldiers' claims. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou stated in a video posted on Facebook that "a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny" with the aim of destabilising the state. He asserted that the armed forces and their leadership had remained loyal to the republic and had foiled the attempt.
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari clarified that the coup plotters only managed to gain control of the state television building. The signal for both state TV and public radio was subsequently cut off.
Residents reported hearing gunfire in several neighbourhoods of Cotonou, the country's largest city and economic hub. Shots were reported near President Talon's presidential residence, prompting alerts from both the French and US embassies, which urged their citizens to stay at home and avoid the area. There was no immediate official confirmation regarding the president's whereabouts.
Regional instability and political context
This incident occurs against a backdrop of significant political transition and regional turmoil. Benin is preparing for a presidential election next April, following President Talon's announcement that he would not seek another term. The ruling coalition had nominated Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as its candidate.
Last month, the country extended the presidential term from five to seven years, while maintaining a two-term limit. Furthermore, in January, two associates of President Talon were sentenced to 20 years in prison for an alleged coup plot in 2024.
The event also highlights the fragile security situation in West Africa, where the military has seized power in several of Benin's neighbours in recent years, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and, as recently as last month, Guinea-Bissau.
