The President of Benin, Patrice Talon, has confirmed that the Government and the country’s Armed Forces successfully foiled a coup attempt planned by a group of soldiers. He assured the nation that all those involved will face strict punishment. Talon’s announcement, broadcast on state television on Sunday evening, came about 12 hours after gunfire was reported in Cotonou, the country’s largest city. Earlier in the day, a group of soldiers had appeared on state television claiming they had removed the President from power. On Sunday morning, December 7, 2025, the group attacked President T

The President of Benin, Patrice Talon, has confirmed that the Government and the country’s Armed Forces successfully foiled a coup attempt planned by a group of soldiers. He assured the nation that all those involved will face strict punishment. Talon’s announcement, broadcast on state television on Sunday evening, came about 12 hours after gunfire was reported in Cotonou, the country’s largest city. Earlier in the day, a group of soldiers had appeared on state television claiming they had removed the President from power. On Sunday morning, December 7, 2025, the group attacked President Talon’s residence in an attempt to overthrow his government. The soldiers, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, also seized the state television station, where they announced that a coup d’état had been carried out. In their broadcast, the soldiers declared the formation of a military commission, dissolved the Constitution, state institutions, and all political parties, and announced the closure of all borders with neighboring countries. They claimed their actions were driven by alleged marginalization under Talon’s administration, stating that some individuals had been imprisoned while others had fled the country. President Talon said that swift coordination with loyalist forces enabled the Government to stop the coup attempt. “This betrayal of the country will not be tolerated,” he said. Government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji later confirmed that 14 individuals were arrested on Sunday, though he provided no additional details.

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