Obvious coup try in Benin thwarted, inside minister says

A coup that was introduced in Benin on Sunday has been “foiled” by loyal troopers, the West African nation’s inside minister mentioned in a video on Fb.

“Within the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, a small group of troopers launched a mutiny with the goal of destabilizing the state and its establishments,” Alassane Seidou mentioned. “Confronted with this case, the Beninese Armed Forces and their management, true to their oath, remained dedicated to the republic.”

Earlier Sunday, a bunch of troopers appeared on Benin’s state TV to announce the dissolution of the federal government in an obvious coup, the most recent of many in West Africa.

The group, which referred to as itself the Army Committee for Refoundation, introduced the elimination of President Patric Talon and all state establishments. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was appointed president of the army committee, the troopers mentioned.

Quickly after, eyewitnesses informed CBS Information companion the BBC that that they had heard gunshots and a few journalists with the state broadcaster had been held hostage.

The French embassy in Benin mentioned in social media posts that gunfire had been reported close to the president’s residence within the metropolis of Cotonou. The Russian embassy in Benin urged its residents to remain indoors for his or her security.

The U.S. Embassy urged its residents to keep away from Cotonou, particularly the world across the presidential compound, after the stories of gunfire and army exercise.

Whereas there has not been official information about Talon because the gunshots had been heard, a presidential adviser informed the BBC that the president is protected and on the French embassy.

The sign to the state tv and public radio, which was lower off, has now been restored. It was not instantly clear what occurred to the army group.

Following its independence from France in 1960, the West African nation skilled a number of coups, notably within the a long time that adopted. Since 1991, the nation has been politically secure following the two-decade rule of Marxist-Leninist Mathieu Kérékou.

The regional bloc, Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS), condemned the short-lived coup in an announcement.

“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional transfer that represents a subversion of the desire of the folks of Benin. … ECOWAS will assist the Authorities and the folks in all varieties essential to defend the Structure and the territorial integrity of Benin,” the bloc mentioned in an announcement.

Talon has been in energy since 2016 and was attributable to step down subsequent April after the presidential election.

Talon’s occasion decide, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is the favourite to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral fee on the grounds that he didn’t have ample sponsors.

In January, two associates of Talon had been sentenced to twenty years in jail for an alleged 2024 coup plot.

Final month, the nation’s legislature prolonged the presidential time period of workplace from 5 to seven years, conserving the time period restrict at two.

The coup is the most recent in a string of army takeovers which have rocked West Africa. Final month, a army coup in Guinea-Bissau eliminated former President Umaro Embalo after a contested election through which each he and the opposition candidate declared themselves winners.