Benin’s President Talon Responds to Foiled Coup Attempt

Benin’s President Patrice Talon has publicly condemned an attempted coup that was thwarted by the country’s military on December 7, 2025. This incident unfolded in the administrative capital, Cotonou, where sporadic gunfire was reported. A group of soldiers, declaring themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, appeared on state television, announcing the dissolution of the government in a bold move reminiscent of recent political turmoil in West Africa.

In a televised address, Talon expressed his condolences to those affected by the “senseless adventure” and assured the nation that authorities are committed to ensuring the safety of citizens, particularly those who may have been taken hostage by the fleeing soldiers. “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,” he stated.

Following the coup attempt, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed via a Facebook video that the military had successfully foiled the insurrection. “In the early morning of Sunday, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny to destabilize the state and its institutions,” Seidou reported. He praised the loyalty of the Beninese Armed Forces to the republic during this crisis.

The situation has prompted a response from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has mobilized troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana to support Benin’s military in maintaining constitutional order. The Nigerian government confirmed that it received requests for assistance and acted swiftly to help restore stability.

Reports indicate that at least 13 soldiers involved in the coup have been arrested, although the fate of the coup leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, remains uncertain. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire and observing military patrols throughout Cotonou; however, the city has largely returned to calm since the foiled attempt.

Benin has a history of political instability, with multiple coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. The country experienced relative political calm following a significant shift in governance in 1991. President Talon, who has been in power since 2016, is set to step down in April 2026 following an upcoming presidential election. His party’s candidate, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is currently favoured to win, while opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was disqualified by the electoral commission due to insufficient support.

As the situation develops, President Talon’s government faces the challenge of restoring order while addressing the underlying tensions that have led to this attempted coup. The involvement of regional forces signifies a significant commitment to maintaining stability in the region, which has seen a rise in military interventions in recent months.