A foiled Coup in Benin , Country’s Interior Minister declared
London-UK, December 8, 2025
The West African nation of Benin narrowly avoided a major political crisis after an attempted coup by a small faction of soldiers was rapidly “foiled” by the country’s armed forces.
The dramatic events unfolded on Sunday morning, when a group of soldiers appeared on state television to announce the dissolution of the government, only for the country’s Interior Minister to swiftly counter the claim, assuring the public that the government remained intact and loyal forces had restored order.
This sudden challenge to the civilian government underscores the fragility of democratic rule across the West African region.
The mutiny began with sporadic gunshots heard around the administrative capital of Cotonou, particularly near the residence of President Patrice Talon.
A group calling itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation” seized the state broadcaster and announced the removal of President Talon and all state institutions, appointing Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri as its new leader.
However, the government responded within hours. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou appeared in a video message stating that the government was “intact” and the mutiny was contained.
The rapid mobilisation of forces loyal to President Talon was credited with thwarting the “adventurers,” demonstrating a strong institutional loyalty within the Beninese army, a rarity in the coup-prone region.
Key Headline Points
• Coup Attempt: A small group of soldiers in Benin seized the state broadcaster, announced the removal of President Patrice Talon, and declared the formation of a “Military Committee for Refoundation.”
• Swift Denial: Interior Minister Alassane Seidou quickly announced the coup was “foiled,” confirming that the Armed Forces remained loyal to the republic.
• Arrests Made: Government sources reported the arrest of 13 soldiers allegedly involved in the plot, though the status of the declared coup leader, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, remains unconfirmed.
• Regional Instability: The attempt is a surprising development in Benin, which has not had a successful coup since 1972, but it reflects the ongoing political volatility in neighbours like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau.
• Political Context: The attempted takeover occurs as President Talon approaches the end of his tenure, with a presidential election scheduled for April 2026.
The Morning of the Mutiny
The coup attempt began in the early hours of Sunday morning in Cotonou. Local media reported gunshots and troop movements, causing immediate alarm.
A group of at least eight soldiers, wearing military fatigues, appeared on the state television channel, announced their takeover, and installed their leader.
The channel’s signal and the public radio broadcast were immediately suspended as the military leadership assessed the situation.
This act of seizing the media hub is a classic opening move in a military takeover, intended to create a perception of success and demoralise loyalist forces. However, in this case, the government’s swift counter-response derailed the plot.
Within a few hours, Interior Minister Seidou’s message was broadcast, assuring the nation that the leadership of the Beninese Armed Forces had “remained committed to the republic.”
President Talon, who came to power in 2016 and is due to step down after elections in April, later confirmed that the situation was under control, vowing to severely punish those responsible.
The government spokesperson reported that at least 14 people had been arrested in connection with the failed putsch.
A Rare Breach in a Stable Nation
The coup attempt is a significant event in Benin, a country that has stood out in the volatile West Africa region for its relative political stability.
Unlike its neighbours—which have recently experienced a wave of successful military takeovers driven by security failures and public discontent—Benin had not had a successful coup since 1972.
The plotters’ statement reportedly cited a “deteriorating security situation” in northern Benin, where jihadist attacks have been increasing, as well as “disregard and neglect” by the current administration, as the pretext for their intervention.
However, the rapid failure of the attempt suggests that the conspirators lacked broad support within the military hierarchy.
The ability of President Talon’s administration and the loyalist forces to mobilise quickly and re-establish control without prolonged violence highlights a crucial difference from the successful coups seen elsewhere in the region.
Despite thwarting the coup, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the underlying pressures facing all civilian governments in West Africa.
It signals that even in one of the more stable democracies, economic grievances, political discontent, and regional security spill-over can rapidly translate into military adventurism, challenging the foundations of the constitutional order.
The need for vigilance and reinforced democratic institutions remains paramount for Benin to sustain its democratic journey in a region increasingly defined by military rule.
