Benin: the government declares coup attempt has been 'foiled' • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Coup Attempt
• Benin Armed Forces
• National Guard
• Republican Loyalty
• State Television Announcement
• Arrests
• Sporadic Gunshots
• Strategic Areas (Presidential Palace, International Organizations, Sofitel Hotel)
• Discontent
• Security Situation in the North
• Neglect of Soldiers
• Civil Liberties
• Opposition Criticism
• Presidential Term Limits
• Successor Nomination
• Opposition Candidate Ban
• Constitutional Change (Term Extension)
• Political Tension

Foiled Coup Attempt in Benin

On Sunday, December 7th, 2025, the government of Benin announced it had foiled a coup attempt. A group of soldiers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, had reportedly seized power and ousted President Patrice Talon, making an announcement on national television.

Government Refutation and Control

The Minister of Foreign Affairs refuted these claims, stating that the majority of the National Guard and the military remained loyal to President Patrice Talon. A government spokesperson confirmed that 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attempt to seize control.

Interior Minister's Statement

The Interior Minister addressed the nation, stating: "Fellow countrymen and women. On this Sunday, December the 7th, 2025, in the early morning, a small group of soldiers engaged in mutiny in order to destabilize the state and its institutions. Before this situation, the Benin armed forces and their hierarchy, faithful to their oath remained Republican. They fought back and allowed the situation to remain under control and to fail the maneuver. Thus, the government invites the population to keep acting as usual."

On-the-Ground Situation

As of a few hours prior to the report, the situation in Cotonou was still somewhat uncertain, with reports of sporadic gunshots in certain areas. Several strategic areas of the city remained blocked off by the military. These included:

• The area around the Presidential Palace.
• The vicinity of international organizations.
• The Sofitel Hotel, a five-star establishment frequented by foreigners and important regional figures.

Despite these localized restrictions, traffic was returning to normal in other parts of the city, and reports indicated that people were attending Sunday church services and resuming their daily activities.

Unanswered Questions

A key question remained regarding the whereabouts of President Patrice Talon, with the government stating he is safe but not specifying his location. There had been no official government statements since the Interior Minister's communication.

Underlying Discontent and Political Context

The attempted coup, though seemingly brief, occurred within a broader context of political tension and discontent in Benin. This was the second foiled coup attempt in the country, with the previous one occurring in September 2024, resulting in the arrest of individuals close to the president.

Justifications for the Coup Attempt

During their announcement on state television, the soldiers involved cited several reasons for their actions:

• Deterioration of the security situation in the north of the country.
• Neglect of soldiers.
• Problems with civil liberties.

These criticisms, particularly regarding the security situation in the north, have also been voiced by the opposition.

Electoral and Constitutional Landscape

President Patrice Talon has been in power since 2016 and is term-limited. Upcoming elections are scheduled for April. The political climate is further complicated by:

• The president's nomination of his current Finance Minister as his successor.
• The ruling coalition's ban of main opposition candidates from running.
• A constitutional change that extends the presidential term from five to seven years.

These factors contribute to significant political tension, with the coming months expected to be closely watched.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The foiled coup attempt in Benin highlights underlying political instability and discontent, exacerbated by security concerns in the north, issues affecting soldiers, and restrictions on civil liberties. The government's swift response and the loyalty of the majority of the armed forces prevented the immediate seizure of power. However, the incident occurs against a backdrop of upcoming elections, a handpicked successor, opposition bans, and constitutional changes, all of which contribute to a highly charged political environment that warrants continued observation.