Benin Foils Apparent Military Coup Attempt as Loyalists Restore Order

A group of soldiers in Benin appeared on state television on Sunday, December 7, 2025, announcing an apparent military coup and declaring the dissolution of the government and all state institutions. The group, identifying itself as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), stated their intention to remove President Patrice Talon from office, as reported by The Hindu.

However, the coup attempt was swiftly "foiled" by loyalist forces, according to Benin's Interior Minister Alassane Seidou. Speaking in a video on Facebook, Seidou confirmed that a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilizing the state, but the Beninese Armed Forces remained committed to the republic.

The soldiers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, had appointed him as the president of their newly formed military committee. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots near the presidential residence in Cotonou, and some journalists at the state broadcaster were held hostage, CBS News noted.

President Patrice Talon was confirmed to be safe, with a presidential adviser telling the BBC that he was at the French embassy following the incident. The signal to state television and public radio, which had been cut off during the initial announcement, was later restored, as reported by cbc News.

International condemnation quickly followed, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly denouncing the "unconstitutional move." ECOWAS affirmed its support for Benin's government and people in defending the constitution and territorial integrity, according to statements cited by Sky News.

Nigeria also reacted by deploying fighter aircraft to Benin, with security sources confirming the deployment as a precautionary measure to assess regional security implications, The Guardian Nigeria reported. The African Union also "strongly and unequivocally" condemned the attempted coup, urging soldiers to return to their barracks.

• Background of Political Stability and Recent Tensions: Benin has historically been regarded as one of West Africa's more stable democracies since its transition to multiparty politics in 1991, following decades of instability after independence in 1960. However, political tensions had been rising. President Patrice Talon, in power since 2016, was due to step down in April 2026, but a controversial legislative decision last month extended the presidential term from five to seven years, while maintaining the two-term limit.

• Motivations of the Coup Plotters: The soldiers of the Military Committee for Refoundation justified their actions by criticizing President Talon's governance, aiming to usher in a "new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail," as stated in a broadcast reported by The News International. They also cited a need to safeguard national stability and prevent an erosion of public trust in the political system, according to Business Insider Africa.

• Regional Context of Coup Waves: The attempted coup in Benin is the latest in a series of military takeovers that have destabilized West Africa in recent years. Countries like Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and most recently Guinea-Bissau, have experienced successful coups, raising significant concerns about regional security and democratic backsliding, as noted by RBC-Ukraine.

• Government's Swift Response and Arrests: Interior Minister Alassane Seidou stated that loyalist forces quickly responded to the mutiny, ensuring the situation remained under control and thwarting the attempt. A government spokesperson confirmed that at least 14 people, including 12 active-duty soldiers, were arrested in connection with the coup attempt, according to sky News.

• International Reactions and Calls for Constitutional Order: Beyond ECOWAS and the African Union, several international bodies and nations condemned the coup attempt. The French Embassy in Benin and the U.S. Embassy in Cotonou issued advisories to their citizens, urging them to remain indoors and avoid certain areas due to reports of gunfire and military activity, CBS news reported.

• Previous Alleged Coup Plots: This incident is not the first time President Talon's administration has faced threats of this nature. In January 2025, two associates of President Talon were sentenced to 20 years in prison for their alleged involvement in a 2024 coup plot, a detail highlighted by CBS News. This history underscores underlying political tensions within the country.

• Implications for Benin's Democratic Future: While the coup attempt was foiled, the event raises questions about the resilience of Benin's democratic institutions and the potential for future instability. The disqualification of an opposition candidate and the extension of the presidential term had already drawn criticism, suggesting a challenging political landscape ahead of the scheduled April 2026 presidential election, as reported by Xinhua.