A sudden insurrection shook the foundations of power in Bénin this Sunday, December 7, although the attempt was ultimately thwarted. In the early hours, a group of rebel soldiers briefly seized the national broadcaster, SRTB, in Cotonou. From the studio, they announced the removal of President Patrice Talon. The 67-year-old leader, who is scheduled to step down in April 2026 after a decade in office, was moved to a secure location as loyalist troops reclaimed key government sites.
Security reports indicate the mutineers initially targeted the president’s private home in the Guézo district before being driven back. By mid-morning, the economic capital was under heavy guard, with helicopters patrolling the skies as order was gradually restored. This unexpected violence marks a sharp departure for a nation that had not seen a military takeover since 1972, when Mathieu Kérékou rose to power.
During a brief televised address on Sunday evening, Patrice Talon spoke to the nation: “Our country has endured events of extreme gravity today. This act of betrayal will not go unpunished.” The president also revealed that some individuals were still being held by fleeing mutineers, emphasizing the urgent need to fully secure the territory and protect the population.
The day’s violence took a tragic toll on the family of General Bertin Bada, the president’s military chief of staff. His wife was killed during an attack on their residence in Abomey-Calavi, and his daughter was injured by gunfire during the same assault.
The timeline of the failed uprising
The unrest began in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou described the events as a move by a small faction of soldiers aiming to destabilize the state. He praised the Bénin Armed Forces for remaining loyal to their constitutional oath, noting that their swift counter-offensive neutralized the threat. The government has since encouraged citizens to return to their daily routines.
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari confirmed that the vast majority of the military remained faithful to the administration, with only a “small group” participating in the rebellion. Security sources have since reported the arrest of at least twelve individuals, including the suspected masterminds and a former soldier who had been previously dismissed from the ranks.
Assault on the presidency and the national broadcaster
The first shots were heard at daybreak. Mutineers, allegedly supported by “external elements” or mercenaries, targeted the homes of high-ranking officers before advancing toward the presidential palace and the president’s private residence. Upon seizing the national television station, they forced staff to record a message. The insurgents, claiming to represent a “Military Committee for Refoundation” led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, declared Patrice Talon deposed just months before the end of his legal term.
Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri announced the suspension of the Constitution and all state institutions, stating that the army would hold full sovereign power until further notice. He justified the coup by accusing the Talon administration of exclusionary governance, the passing of “crisis-inducing” laws, and the forced exile or arrest of political opponents.
International diplomatic missions in Cotonou reacted quickly. The United States embassy alerted its citizens to gunfire in the Guézo neighborhood, while the French embassy urged its nationals to exercise extreme caution. However, the coup attempt met immediate resistance. Fierce clashes erupted near the port and the presidential palace as the Republican Guard launched a counter-strike. Bénin also requested support from the Nigeria military, which provided fighter jets and ground troops to help secure the television station and a captured military camp.
Tension and uncertainty in Cotonou
For several hours, confusion reigned. With official communication delayed, rumors spread rapidly across social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp. By the afternoon, the gunfire had ceased, and police units were stationed at major intersections throughout the city center. Residents described an atmosphere of anxiety, with many questioning what the future holds for the country’s stability.
This event has sent shockwaves through a region already struggling with political volatility. Bénin, once considered a rare bastion of stability in West Africa, now finds itself on a list of nations facing military threats, following recent coups in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
Regional intervention and international condemnation
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) both issued stern condemnations. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, representing the AU, demanded an immediate end to the illegal actions and a return to the barracks. By Sunday night, ECOWAS announced the deployment of its Standby Force, including troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, to support the legitimate government and preserve constitutional order in Bénin.
A nation at a political crossroads
This crisis unfolds as Patrice Talon prepares for the April presidential election, which marks the conclusion of his second term. The security landscape is already fraught, particularly in the north, where Bénin has faced deadly attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaeda. Politically, the ruling coalition has already named Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as Talon‘s preferred successor.
However, recent legislative changes, including a constitutional revision that extends mandates to seven years and creates a Senate, have sparked intense debate. The disqualification of candidates from the main opposition party, Les Démocrates, has further heightened political friction. While the mutineers’ specific motivations are still being investigated, their actions highlight deep-seated grievances regarding governance and political inclusion in Bénin.
