By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The attempt by a group of soldiers to seize power in the Republic of Benin failed early Sunday, according to a statement by the country’s government. The short-lived mutiny, which saw troops declare the removal of President Patrice Talon on state television, has drawn immediate, forceful condemnation from the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has sent support troops to Benin republic.
The chaos began in the early morning when a small group of uniformed soldiers appeared on the state-run broadcaster, Benin TV. Identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), the troops announced they had “removed from office” President Patrice Talon, dissolved the government and all state institutions, and suspended the Constitution.
The group was reportedly led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri.
Reports from the capital, Cotonou, indicated that gunfire was heard near the presidential residence at Camp Guezo, prompting security alerts from foreign embassies, including those of France and the US, which urged their citizens to avoid the area.
Within hours of the televised announcement, the government released a counter-statement insisting the attempted coup had been thwarted by forces loyal to the President.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed the incident in a video message, stating:
“In the early morning of Sunday, December 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions… Faced with this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their hierarchy, faithful to their oath, remained committed to the republic. Their response allowed them to maintain control of the situation and thwart the attempt.” He said.
The presidency confirmed that President Talon, the 67-year-old former businessman, was safe and that the loyalist army was quickly restoring order. Officials asserted that the mutineers only controlled the television station briefly and that Cotonou and the rest of the country were “completely secure.”
However, the attempted military takeover triggered a furious reaction from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has been struggling to contain a wave of successful coups across the region, including in neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso.
In a strong statement released from its headquarters in Abuja, ECOWAS condemned the “unconstitutional move” and reaffirmed its support for the legitimate government of Benin, and has sent stand by forces to support the west African nation.
“The Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of state and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect. The Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Cote Divoire, and Republic of Ghana. The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.” ECOWAS said in a statement late Sunday.
Similarly, the African Union Commission also issued a sharp condemnation, stressing that any military interference in political processes is a “grave violation” of the continent’s fundamental principles.
The brief period of instability comes months before Benin’s next presidential election, scheduled for April 2026, which would mark the end of President Talon’s second and final constitutional term.
