Sunday 7 December 2025 — Cotonou, Benin
Benin has been plunged into political uncertainty after a group of soldiers seized control of state television and announced that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office in what they described as a military takeover.
Appearing in uniform on the national broadcaster early on Sunday, the officers said they were speaking on behalf of the Military Committee for Refoundation, declaring the dissolution of the government and all state institutions. They also announced the suspension of the constitution and the closure of Benin’s borders.
The statement said the country would now be led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, who was introduced as the head of the new military committee. The whereabouts of President Talon remain unclear, and there has been no immediate televised response from the civilian authorities.
What the soldiers said on state TV
In the broadcast, the officers accused the outgoing leadership of mismanaging the country and claimed their intervention was necessary to “restore order” and “refound the republic”. They announced an overnight attack on the president’s residence in Porto-Novo, followed by the swift takeover of the national broadcaster in the commercial capital Cotonou.
The group said political parties were being suspended, and that any attempt to challenge the new authority would be treated as a threat to national security. It is not yet clear how much of the armed forces are backing the committee, and whether loyalist units remain active elsewhere in the country.
Background: Talon’s presidency and rising tensions
Patrice Talon, a businessman-turned-politician, has been president of Benin since 2016. He was expected to step down in April 2026 after serving two terms, in line with the country’s term limits. His ruling coalition recently nominated former finance minister Romuald Wadagni as its preferred candidate for the next presidential election, reinforcing expectations of continuity.
Last month, lawmakers voted to extend presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years, while keeping the two-term limit. Critics argued that the change concentrated too much power in the hands of the presidency and weakened democratic safeguards in the country once hailed as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.
Benin experienced several coups in the decades after independence from France in 1960, but had enjoyed relative stability since the early 1990s. The apparent military takeover now places it back on a growing list of West African states hit by putschists in recent years.
Regional concern over another West African coup
The reported coup in Benin follows a series of power grabs in countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea-Bissau, raising fresh alarm about democratic backsliding across West Africa. Regional bloc ECOWAS and international partners are expected to issue statements as the situation becomes clearer.
Early coverage by international outlets, including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera , describes the development as an “apparent coup”, noting that parts of the security forces may still be loyal to President Talon.
What happens next?
Key questions now centre on whether the Military Committee for Refoundation can consolidate control over the country’s security apparatus and ministries, and how quickly regional and international pressure will build on the putschists.
Much will also depend on the response of Benin’s political class, civil society and ordinary citizens, many of whom had already voiced concerns about shrinking political space and the fairness of upcoming elections.
As of Sunday afternoon local time, reports suggested that gunfire had been heard near military installations, but independent verification on the ground remains limited. Communications have been disrupted in some areas, and foreign embassies have urged their citizens to stay indoors and avoid large gatherings.
This is a developing story. Details may be updated as more verified information becomes available.
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