A Coup Attempt in Benin Reportedly Foiled by Armed Forces

A coup attempt in Benin has been declared “foiled” by the country’s interior minister following an early morning military uprising aimed at destabilizing the government. Alassane Seidou confirmed that the Beninese Armed Forces successfully countered the mutiny, which was announced by a group of soldiers on state television.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores the ongoing instability in West Africa, where military takeovers have recently become more frequent. With Benin’s history of political turbulence following its independence, the resolution of this coup attempt is critical for maintaining the country’s fragile democracy and ensuring a peaceful transition of power in the upcoming presidential elections.

Key Developments

A small group of soldiers attempted to launch a mutiny on December 7, 2025.
The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, announced the dissolution of the government.
Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was named the head of the military committee.
Beninese armed forces remained loyal to President Patrice Talon, countering the coup attempt.
No official updates regarding President Talon have been released since the incident occurred.

Full Report

In a video shared on Facebook, Minister of the Interior Alassane Seidou reported that a small faction of soldiers launched their coup in the early hours of Sunday, attempting to bring chaos to the state. According to the military’s statement on national television, the group aimed to dissolve all government institutions, marking another chapter in the history of coups that have beset the region.

Despite initial reports of gunfire around the presidential residence, the armed forces declared their allegiance to the republic and took decisive action to thwart the coup. The broadcast from the military faction was subsequently cut off, escalating concerns about the situation’s immediacy.

President Patrice Talon, who came to power in 2016, was expected to exit office following the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April 2026. His party’s candidate, Romuald Wadagni, was seen as a strong contender for the presidency, particularly after the electoral commission disqualified key opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo due to sponsorship issues. Talon’s political tenure has also faced judicial controversies, including the conviction of two associates for their alleged involvement in a prior coup attempt.

Context & Previous Events

Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Benin has experienced multiple coups, particularly in the decades following its liberation. However, political stability has emerged since 1991, following the prolonged presidency of Marxist-Leninist Mathieu Kérékou. In a recent legislative move, the country’s assembly extended the presidential term from five to seven years while maintaining a two-term limit, reflecting the evolving political landscape in the lead-up to the elections. This attempted coup comes amidst a broader pattern of military interventions across West Africa, notably following last month’s coup in Guinea-Bissau.