Paris (France), 09/11/2021.- President of Benin Patrice Talon makes a statement with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) following their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 09 November 2021. Both meet to sign an agreement on the return of 26 works of art to the former French colony, according to the French president's Elysee office. (Francia) EFE/EPA/YOAN VALAT (MaxPPP TagID: efespfourteen700595.jpg) [Photo via MaxPPP]
A military faction appeared on the national broadcaster of Bénin on Sunday morning, December 7, declaring that President Patrice Talon had been ousted from power. However, the president’s inner circle quickly released a statement confirming his safety and asserting that the national army was successfully restoring order.
This coastal West African nation, which has enjoyed consistent economic progress despite facing extremist threats in its northern regions, was preparing for a presidential election this coming April. The attempt in Bénin follows a wave of similar power grabs across the region, with Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinée, and Guinée-Bissau all experiencing coups or attempted takeovers in recent years.
The group behind the broadcast identified themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR). After making their announcement on the state-run television channel, the station’s signal was eventually cut off later that morning.
Shortly after the broadcast, representatives for Patrice Talon sought to reassure the public. They described the insurgents as a minor group that had only managed to seize the television station. “The regular armed forces are re-establishing authority. Both the city of Cotonou and the nation at large are fully secured,” the source stated.
The embassy of France issued a warning via social media on Sunday morning, noting that gunfire had been detected near the president’s private residence in Cotonou. French nationals in the area were urged to remain indoors for their own protection.
Military officials later confirmed that the situation was firmly under the state’s authority. They clarified that the putschists failed to capture the Bénin presidential palace or the head of state’s home. A military source described the ongoing efforts as a “cleanup operation” that would soon see a total return to normalcy.
Restricted access in the capital
By Sunday morning, soldiers had established cordons around the national television headquarters and the presidency building. Access to several strategic locations in Cotonou, including the Sofitel hotel and neighborhoods housing international organizations, was restricted. Despite these localized disruptions, the city’s airport remained open, and most residents continued their daily activities without interference from a visible military presence elsewhere.
The political landscape of Bénin has historically been marked by various power struggles. Patrice Talon, who assumed office in 2016, is scheduled to step down in 2026 after completing his second term, which is the legal limit. Currently, the political climate remains tense as the main opposition groups have been excluded from the upcoming electoral race.
While Patrice Talon is often praised for the country’s infrastructure and economic advancements, he has faced significant criticism from those who argue he has steered Bénin toward authoritarianism, distancing the country from its former reputation as a beacon of democracy in the region.
