How the Republic of Benin coup attempt failed

Benin Republic would have been an addition to those countries affected by the contagion of coups in Africa – Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan, Gabon, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, and Madagascar. But the military putsch in Benin has failed!

‎The Interior Minister said on national TV that what a group of soldiers, led by Lt-Col Pascal Tigri said about ousting President Patrice Talon and suspended the constitution had been foiled. In other words, the civilians are in full control now‎.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria said: “Mutineers in military uniform, who attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon’s democratic government on Sunday in the Republic of Benin, have failed. The mutineers seized the National TV after failing to enter President Talon’s residence.

The latest report from Cotonou said the National Guard has taken control of the situation and surrounded the television station. According to 24 Hours In Benin, discussions are underway with the mutineers, now holed up inside the station.”

‎In social media posts, BBC wrote that the French embassy in Benin said gunfire had been reported near the residence of the president in the main city of Cotonou, which is the seat of government. Eyewitnesses told the BBC that they had heard gunshots and some journalists working for the state broadcaster were held hostage.

‎A presidential adviser has since told the BBC that the president is safe and is at the French embassy.

‎”Early on Sunday morning, 7 December 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions,” Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said

‎”Faced with this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic. Their response allowed them to retain control of the situation and foil the attempt,” he said.

‎”The government therefore urges the population to go about their activities as normal.

‎Helicopters have been seen flying over Cotonou and roads are blocked with a heavy military presence on several streets in the city. ‎BBC wrote further: “Benin, a former French colony, has been regarded as one of Africa’s more stable democracies.

‎It is one of the continent’s largest cotton producers, but ranks among the world’s poorest countries. The French and Russian embassies have urged their citizens to stay indoors for their safety. The US embassy’s advice was to stay away from Cotonou, especially the area around the presidential compound. ‎The soldiers leading the attempted coup justified their actions by criticising President Talon’s management of the country.

‎”The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” said a statement read by one of the soldiers.

‎Talon, who is 67 and regarded as a close ally of the West, is due to step down next year after completing his second term in office, with elections scheduled for April.

‎A businessman known as the “king of cotton”, he first came to power in an election in 2016. He promised not to seek a third term and has endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as his successor.”