Coup attempt quickly foiled by loyalist troops in Benin (video)

A coup attempt was thwarted early this morning in Benin after a group of about ten soldiers stormed the national television station.

The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), appeared on state TV and announced the removal of President Patrice Talon from office, the dissolution of government institutions, and the suspension of the constitution.

Lt.-Col. Pascal Tigri was declared head of the new military authority.

The French Embassy said gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo, near the presidential residence.

It urged French citizens to remain at home until further notice as a security measure, “while the situation is fully clarified”.

Shortly after, Benin’s interior minister appeared on national TV to announce that an attempted coup had been thwarted.

“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.”

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.

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