Benin Government Says Coup Attempt Foiled After Soldiers Seize State TV

Cotonou, Benin — December 7, 2025

The government of Benin says it has foiled an attempted coup after a group of soldiers stormed the national broadcaster on Sunday morning, declared the removal of President Patrice Talon, and announced the dissolution of all state institutions.

According to the Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, the mutiny was carried out by a “small faction” of soldiers who were quickly overwhelmed by loyalist forces. “The situation is under control,” Seidou said, adding that President Talon is “safe and in a secure location.”

The coup plotters, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), had used state television to announce that they had taken power. Their televised statement claimed that the constitution was suspended, political parties dissolved, borders closed, and Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri appointed as the new head of state. Moments later, the station’s signal was cut, plunging viewers into confusion.

Government sources say several of the soldiers involved have since been arrested, though the exact number has not been confirmed. Sporadic gunfire was reported near key installations in Cotonou early in the day, but military checkpoints have now been reinforced across the capital.

The dramatic events mark one of the most serious challenges to Benin’s political stability in years. Once regarded as a model of democratic governance in West Africa, the country has recently faced rising political tension, including a foiled coup plot in 2024 and the sentencing of several political figures earlier this year for attempting to overthrow the government.

Regional bodies reacted swiftly. ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the attempted power grab and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. Both organizations urged the military to remain united and to respect democratic norms ahead of Benin’s 2026 elections.

By Sunday evening, calm had largely returned to the capital, though uncertainty remains about the extent of support for the mutineers within the armed forces. Analysts say the incident may signal deeper fractures within the military hierarchy.

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.