Benin President Patrice Talon survives coup attempt as loyal forces take charge of capital
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm as operations continue to stabilise the capital following the failed coup attempt.
Benin's interior minister has announced that an attempted coup in the West African nation was thwarted on Sunday, shortly after a group of soldiers claimed to have overthrown President Patrice Talon.
Speaking on national television, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed that security forces had acted swiftly to stop what he described as a mutiny aimed at destabilising state institutions.
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His remarks came hours after soldiers led by Lt-Col Pascal Tigri briefly seized the airwaves to declare that they had removed the president from office and suspended the constitution.
"Early on Sunday morning, 7 December 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny aimed at destabilising the state and its institutions," Seidou said.
"Faced with this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic. Their response allowed them to retain control of the situation and foil the attempt. The government, therefore, urges the population to go about their activities as normal," he added.
The minister's comments followed an earlier broadcast on state-run Benin TV, in which the renegade soldiers, calling themselves the "Military Committee for the Refoundation (CMR)," announced that "Mr Patrice Talon is dismissed from his functions as president of the republic."
Local media reported gunfire at Camp Guezo, near the presidential residence, and suggested that the soldiers had taken control of the state broadcaster. Despite the chaos, the Presidency said the head of state was safe and that loyal forces had reasserted authority.
Speaking separately to Jeune Afrique, Romuald Wadagni, minister of state in charge of economy and finance, insisted that the government had regained the upper hand. He said the situation was "under control."
"The mutineers are trapped. We are clearing the area, but it is not over yet. We are safe," he noted, adding that helicopters were patrolling Cotonou and that central parts of the city were heavily secured by the armed forces.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm as operations continue to stabilise the capital following the failed coup attempt.
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