Alleged Coup Attempt in Benin

The situation in Benin has recently been marked by an alleged coup attempt, which the government claims has been thwarted. Sources from the Benin presidential office told AFP that the coup had failed and the military had regained control. Alleged Coup Attempt (

December 7, 2025) On Sunday, December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers claiming to be the "Military Committee for Re-establishment" (CMR) appeared on state television and announced that President Patrice Talon—born on May 1, 1958, Talon made his fortune in the cotton and logistics sectors before entering politics as a key financier of former President Thomas Boni Yayi—had been ousted. He won the 2016 presidential election as an independent with 65% of the vote in the runoff and was re-elected in 2021 with 86% of the vote, despite criticism of electoral reforms that favored incumbents. They ousted him and dissolved the government. They appointed Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri—an officer from Benin who led an apparent coup attempt against President Patrice Talon on December 7, 2025—as their new president. The Beninese presidential office and Interior Minister Alassane Seidou immediately declared that the coup attempt was a "mutiny" by a small group of soldiers and had been thwarted. They assured the public that President Patrice Talon was safe and that the regular army was regaining control of the situation. The Interior Minister stated that the armed forces remained loyal to the Republic. Reports indicate that shots were fired this morning near the president's official residence in the economic capital, Cotonou. State television broadcasts were temporarily cut after the military's statement but were later restored. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned the unconstitutional action. 🏛️