Benin's president on Sunday condemned a foiled coup attempt in the administrative capital of Cotonou, where soldiers briefly seized state television to announce the dissolution of the government.
The military action unfolded early on December 7, 2025, when sporadic gunfire echoed through the city and a group calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation appeared on state TV. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, the coup leader, declared himself president of the committee and ordered the government's dissolution. The signal to state television and public radio was cut off shortly after but later restored.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou announced in a video on Facebook that Beninese forces had thwarted the plot. "Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic," Seidou said.
President Patrice Talon addressed the nation in a televised speech later that day. He described the mutineers as fleeing and offered condolences to victims of the "senseless adventure." "I would also like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the victims of this senseless adventure, as well as to those still being held by the fleeing mutineers," Talon said. He added, "I assure them that we will do everything in our power to find them safe and sound."
Local media reported the arrest of 13 soldiers who took part in the coup. Soldiers were seen patrolling Cotonou amid the gunfire, but the city appeared relatively calm afterward. It remained unclear whether Lt. Col. Tigri had been apprehended.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the attempt as "a subversion of the will of the people of Benin" and ordered the deployment of troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana to support Benin's army. Benin's government made two separate requests for air and ground forces from Nigeria, which assisted in flushing out the plotters from the National TV. Nigerian government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said, "It took some hours before the government’s loyal forces, assisted by Nigeria, took control and flushed out the coup plotters from the National TV."
The incident marks the latest in a string of military takeovers and attempted takeovers in West Africa. Last month, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau removed former President Umaro Embalo after a contested election. In January, two associates of Talon received 20-year prison sentences for an alleged 2024 coup plot.
Benin has maintained political stability since 1991, following the two-decade rule of former president Mathieu Kérékou. Talon has been in power since 2016. Last month, the legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years, with a two-term limit. A presidential election is scheduled for next April, when Talon is due to step down. His party's pick, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is the favorite to win. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral commission for lacking sufficient sponsors.
Benin gained independence from France in 1960.
Article Source/Reference: AP News
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