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2025 Beninese coup attempt

Coordinates: 6°21′N 2°24′E / 6.35°N 2.40°E / 6.35; 2.40
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2025 Beninese coup attempt

Rogue soldiers announce on national television that they have overthrown the government.
Date7 December 2025
Location
SRTB, Presidential Palace, and Camp Togbin, Cotonou, Benin
6°21′N 2°24′E / 6.35°N 2.40°E / 6.35; 2.40
Status Coup failure
  • Attacks on the Presidential Palace repulsed
  • ECOWAS stability forces deployment[5]
  • Ongoing search for coup plotters
  • Pascal Tigri fled to Togo
Belligerents
  • Military Committee for Refoundation[1][2]
Commanders and leaders
Pascal Tigri[6][7]
Ousmane Samary[8]
Sambieni Castro[8]		 Benin Patrice Talon
Dieudonné Djimon Tévoédjrè
Nigeria Bola Tinubu
Units involved
Benin Armed Forces (factions)
 Benin Armed Forces[9]
Casualties and losses
Several killed,[14] 13 arrested[15] 1 killed, 1 injured
2 abducted, later released
1 civilian killed[16]
Map

On 7 December 2025, several soldiers of the Benin Armed Forces (FAB) led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri announced on national television the overthrow of Patrice Talon, the president of Benin, following an attack on Talon's residence in Cotonou and the residences of other top-ranking military officials. Talon's government requested military assistance from Nigeria, and hours later, Beninese interior minister Alassane Seidou said that the coup attempt had been thwarted. The ECOWAS Standby Force was then deployed to maintain security. Several people on both sides, including one civilian, were killed during the attempt.

Background

[edit]

Benin has been regarded as "one of Africa's more stable democracies".[17] Although Benin faced instability during the first few years after its 1960 independence from France, no coup has taken place there since its 1991 multiparty election.[18] The governments of Benin's northern neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso were overthrown in 2023 and in 2022, respectively; other countries in the region affected by coups include Mali and Guinea in 2021, and Guinea-Bissau just the month before.[18]

At the time of the coup, president Patrice Talon, in office since 2016, was due to leave office following elections scheduled in April 2026.[19] In January 2025, two of Talon's associates were sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly plotting a coup against him in 2024.[20] In November 2025, a constitutional amendment was approved by Benin's National Assembly, extending presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years and creating a Senate, expected to have between 25 and 30 members including Benin's former heads of state and other members appointed by the president.[21] This upper house would have the power to request a second reading of the laws approved by the National Assembly, with some exceptions. This reforms were still pending approval by the Constitutional Court of Benin.[21]

The coup was planned and executed by mutineers stationed at Camp Togbin in Fidjrossè (fr). The assault teams that attacked the residences of high-ranking officials and the Presidential Palace organized their weapons from this camp.[22] Pascal Tigri, who led the coup, was the former commander of the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion of the National Guard, and had recently been promoted to command the Special Forces group of the National Guard. Tigri and his men fought in the jihadist insurgency in Northern Benin.[6]

Coup attempt

[edit]
President Patrice Talon was the target of the coup attempt.

At around 02:10 WAT, a group of rebellious soldiers from the National Guard[23][24] dispatched from Camp Togbin[22] arrived at the home of Director of the Military Cabinet Bertin Bada in Abomey-Calavi, intending to kidnap him. While Bertin managed to flee, his wife Berthe was mortally wounded.[25][26][27]

Beninese security officials requested support from soldiers at Camp Togbin. Head of the National Guard Faizou Gomina was dispatched to the camp, where he was assaulted and held hostage by mutinous soldiers. The home of the Army Chief of Staff Abou Issa was assaulted next. Issa resisted the initial group of soldiers sent to abduct him, but the mutineers sent reinforcements. Gomina and Issa were transported to Tchaourou, where they were released after the failure of the coup.[25]

At 05:00, the rebelling National Guard soldiers attacked the Presidential Palace in Cotonou. A battle broke out between the mutineers and members of the Republican Guard, with President Patrice Talon, his wife, and high-ranking members of the Republican Guard including the commander Dieudonné Djimon Tévoédjrè watching over.[24][28] This clash in front of the Presidential Palace lasted for about 45 minutes. One pro-government soldier was killed, and one was injured during the battle.[28]

The rebelling soldiers retreated through alleyways to the national broadcaster SRTB, where they held workers hostage.[25][17][19] The French Embassy in Cotonou said that gunfire was heard at Camp Guezo, just north of SRTB and the Presidential Palace.[19]

At SRTB, a group of eight rebelling soldiers, led by Pascal Tigri, declared that Talon had been "removed from office as president of the republic". They also announced the suspension of the constitution and state institutions, and identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (French: Comité Militaire pour la Refondation, CMR).[20][29]

The soldiers cited multiple reasons for staging the coup, such as Talon's management of the country, favoritism in the military, the neglect of soldiers killed on duty and their relatives, the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin, cuts to healthcare, increased taxes, and restrictions on political activity. After the announcement, the signal to SRTB was shut off but was restored later in the day.[20]

Videos of military vehicles speeding down Boulevard de la Marina, where the Presidential Palace and the National Assembly are located, circulated around social media.[24] Helicopters were reported to be flying over Cotonou.[30] According to Tevoedjre, pro-government soldiers launched a counteroffensive on the TV station as the message was being broadcast.[28] One rebel vehicle was destroyed in the battle for the TV station.[28] Soldiers at Camp Togbin then rebelled against the government, with the Beninois government requesting support from France and ECOWAS to quell the coup.[31][32]

The CMR later announced that all borders were closed and that all political parties were suspended.[29] Meanwhile, soldiers loyal to Talon claimed that he was safe, but his whereabouts were unknown, and that the "regular army" was "regaining control".[19] A presidential adviser later told the BBC that Talon was at the French embassy.[17] Beninʼs foreign minister, Shegun Adjadi Bakari, told Reuters that "there is a coup attempt but the situation is under control", and that "a large part of the army the national guard are still loyal to the president and are controlling the situation."[29][failed verification] Gunfire was reported throughout Cotonou, especially near the port and the official presidential residence, and helicopters were observed over the area.[24] Soldiers also blocked access to the presidential residence, state television offices, the five-star Sofitel Cotonou hotel, and districts housing international institutions.[29]

Romuald Wadagni, the Beninese Minister of Finance, stated that the situation was "under control", "The mutineers are holed up" and "We are clearing them out, but it's not over yet. We are safe."[30] Wilfried Houngbedji, the spokesperson for the Beninese government, stated that "Everything is fine."[33] The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou urged U.S. citizens in Benin to avoid Cotonou and areas near the presidential compound. The rebel troops were still in control of the state television by 09:00 WAT (UTC+01:00).[23]

Counter activities

[edit]
External videos
video icon "#Benin Failed Coup: Message from the Government" (in French), from Bénin TV via YouTube

Following two requests for assistance by the Beninese government,[32] the Nigerian Air Force was deployed to Cotonou to dislodge the putschists, where precision airstrikes upon Camp Togbin were reported.[19][11] Several putschists were killed.[14] Nigeria also expelled the coup plotters from the state television headquarters[34] and immobilized several armored vehicles.[35] Nigerian ground forces entered Benin shortly after.[36] This marked Nigeria's first foreign military intervention since the 2017 Gambian constitutional crisis.[34] The French government also said that it had provided surveillance, observation and logistical assistance to the FAB to help thwart the coup, with president Emmanuel Macron leading a "coordination effort" and being in contact with president Talon and ECOWAS representatives.[37]

Benin's interior minister, Alassane Seidou stated that the FAB thwarted the attempted coup at 11:09.[38] The government credited loyalist troops for suppressing the coup.[17] At least 14 people were arrested, including 12 active-duty soldiers and another who was dismissed. Twelve suspects are believed to have participated in the attack on state television.[29][17] Tigri and several of his men remained fugitives by the night of 9 December.[39][30] Beninese authorities later said that Tigri and several colleagues were in hiding in Lomé in neighboring Togo.[40]

At 19:37, ECOWAS released a statement announcing the deployment of Nigerian, Sierra Leonean, Ivorian, and Ghanaian soldiers to aid the Beninese government in repelling the putschists.[41] Ivorian soldiers arrived in Cotonou on that night.[42] Later that evening, president Talon appeared on television and reiterated the failure of the coup, while promising to punish "this treachery".[32] Weapons were also discovered stashed in the Togbin, Fidjrosse, and Akogbato neighborhoods.[43] Following the attack, roads to and from the Presidential Palace were closed, with police officers in front diverting traffic from the scene. Traffic elsewhere in Cotonou was normal.[24]

Arrests

[edit]

The Beninese government made several arrests and issued several arrest warrants for people they deemed supportive of or involved in the coup attempt. At least 30 suspects appeared at the Special Criminal Court (CRIET) on 15 December in connection with the coup attempt.[44] On 12 December, Talon's political opponent and head of the Restaurer l'Espoir (Restore Hope) party Candide Azanai was arrested. On 14 December, Chabi Yayi, the son of former president Thomas Boni Yayi, was arrested at his house for reasons alleged to be related to the coup attempt.[45] Arrest warrants were also issued for Kémi Séba and Sabi Korogone, who supported the coup.[46][47][48]

Reactions

[edit]

The coup attempt was condemned by ECOWAS, the African Union, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.[29][32] Neighboring Nigeria called the coup a "direct assault on democracy," and praised Beninese security forces for "defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the president".[17] On 9 December, the Senate of Nigeria formally approved a request by President Bola Tinubu to deploy soldiers in Benin at the request of the latter's government.[49] France also condemned the coup and offered its full political support to ECOWAS.[37]

Domestic

[edit]

Kémi Séba, a candidate in the 2026 Beninese presidential election and pro-AES and pro-Russian blogger, expressed his support for the coup while it was ongoing.[50][51] Other pro-AES social media accounts posted claims heralding the coup's success as soon as news broke.[52][24]

Les Democrates, the primary opposition party in Benin and party of former president Thomas Boni Yayi, condemned the coup and released a statement supporting the Beninese government.[53] Boni Yayi himself released a statement in support of the government on 7 December, expressing solidarity with Talon.[54] The Islamic Union of Benin released a similar statement.[55] The Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) political party also condemned the coup attempt and released a statement in support of the government.[56] Former president Nicéphore Soglo also released a statement supporting the government.[57]

Rallies in favor of Talon's government were organized in Banikoara on 9 December.[58]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ France provided logistical and intelligence support to Benin and Nigeria during the coup attempt.[3]
  2. ^ ECOWAS Standby Force deployed after the coup failed.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Military Coup underway in Benin Republic as Soldiers Seize State TV [PHOTO]". The Times Nigeria. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  2. ^ "Coup attempt in Benin:Soldiers' group announces removal of government; army claims it is restoring control".. The Times of India. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b "France provided logistical support to Benin to thwart coup, Elysee says". Reuters. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Benin: ECOWAS troops deployed after failed coup attempt". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  5. ^ "ECOWAS deploys standby force to Benin after foiled coup attempt".. Daily Post Nigeria. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Benin: Who is Pascal Tigri, the discreet officer behind the attempted overthrow of Patrice Talon?". Sene News. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  7. ^ "4 facts about the man behind the Benin coup". PM News – via MSN. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Face of Benin failed coup Lt Col. Pascal Tigri declared wanted". Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Benin coup leader still on the run after thwarted government takeover".. The Independent. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Tinubu hails Nigerian Army for protecting democracy in Benin Republic".. Business Day. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Nigerian Air Force Launches Precision Airstrikes On Fleeing Benin Republic Coup Plotters". Sahara Reporters. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  12. ^ "ECOWAS deploys standby force to Benin following attempted coup".. GhanaWeb. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  13. ^ "French special forces helped Benin after attempted coup: Military".
  14. ^ a b "Nigerian Air Force conducts Multiple Precision airstrikes on fleeing coup plotters in Benin Republic". Zagazola. 7 December 2025.
  15. ^ Afrique, Jeune (7 December 2025). "Benin: What we know about the attempted coup d'État in Cotonou". The Africa Report.
  16. ^ Benin: General Bertin Bada Attends Cabinet Meeting After Losing Wife To Failed Coup (Video), Naija News
  17. ^ a b c d e f Njie, Paul; Naadi, Thomas; Nwonwu, Chiagozie; Fleming, Lucy (7 December 2025). "Benin coup attempt foiled by loyalist troops, interior minister says". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Benin government says armed forces foil coup attempt". Reuters. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  19. ^ a b c d e "Attempted coup underway in Benin". France 24. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  20. ^ a b c "Benin's interior minister says a coup announced earlier has been foiled". AP News. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Benin's parliament approves constitutional amendment extending terms and creating a senate". ConstitutionNet. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  22. ^ a b Ayosso, Akpédjé (8 December 2025). "La base militaire de Togbin identifiée comme épicentre de l'insurrection". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Tentative de coup d'Etat au Bénin : Le président Talon parle "d'évènements d'une gravité extrême"". BBC News Afrique (in French). 7 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Bénin: une douzaine de militaires arrêtés après «l'échec» de la tentative de coup d'État". RFI (in French). 7 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  25. ^ a b c Mensah, Marc (8 December 2025). "Le gouvernement fait le point sur la mutinerie". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  26. ^ "Benin on alert: Military group goes live on state TV, claims to remove President Talon". mint. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  27. ^ Ayosso, Akpédjé (8 December 2025). "L'épouse du Général Bertin Bada décédée". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  28. ^ a b c d "Invité Afrique Midi - Chef de la garde présidentielle du Bénin: «C'est la détermination de mes hommes qui a mis en déroute les assaillants»". RFI (in French). 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  29. ^ a b c d e f "Coup attempt in Benin quelled by loyal armed forces, interior minister says". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  30. ^ a b c "Bénin: ce que l'on sait de la tentative de coup d'État à Cotonou". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  31. ^ "Tentative de coup d'État au Bénin : ce que l'on sait du rôle de la France". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  32. ^ a b c d Usaid Siddiqui (8 December 2025). "Benin's foiled coup: How it unfolded and what we know". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  33. ^ Ahissou, Virgile; Adetayo, Ope (7 December 2025). "Soldiers appear on television to announce apparent military coup in Benin". KSTP. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Nigeria dispatches jets, troops to quash Benin coup bid". Reuters. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  35. ^ "Benin government assesses situation after thwarted coup". Africanews. 9 December 2025.
  36. ^ "Nigeria says it deployed jets, troops to Benin to 'dislodge coup plotters'". Al Jazeera. 8 December 2025.
  37. ^ a b "France reveals role in Benin's foiled coup'under control'". Africanews. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  38. ^ "Live: Apparent coup attempt in Benin, govt claims army has situation 'under control'". France 24. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  39. ^ "EN DIRECT. Bénin : une douzaine de militaires arrêtés, dont les auteurs de la tentative de coup d'État". Senenews (in French). 7 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  40. ^ "Alleged leader of Benin coup attempt reportedly finds refuge in Togo". Africanews. 12 December 2025.
  41. ^ "ECOWAS Deploys Immediate Standby Force To Benin After Failed Coup Attempt". Sahara Reporters. 7 December 2025.
  42. ^ Mensah, Marc (8 December 2025). "Voici les deux armées africaines qui ont appuyé le Bénin". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  43. ^ Ignace B. Fanou; F. Aubin Ahéhéhinnou (12 December 2025). "Voici la conduite à tenir en cas de découverte d'armes ou de munitions". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  44. ^ Fanou, Ignace B. (15 December 2025). "Une trentaine de suspects devant la CRIET". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  45. ^ "Bénin: Chabi Yayi, le fils de l'ancien président Boni Yayi, placé en garde à vue". RFI (in French). 14 December 2025. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  46. ^ ZOHOUN, Judicaël (12 December 2025). "Mandat d'arrêt international contre Kemi Seba et Sabi Korogoné". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  47. ^ Djogbénou, Edouard (13 December 2025). "Sabi Korogoné reacts after an arrest warrant was issued against him". Benin Web TV. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  48. ^ Seneweb (14 December 2025). "Benin: Subject to an arrest warrant, Kemi Seba says he wants to "see his fight through to the end"". Seneweb. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
  49. ^ "West Africa is in a state of emergency after several coups, bloc leader says". AP News. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  50. ^ Souleymane, Barry (7 December 2025). "Coup d'état au Bénin : « Le camp de Talon n'a pas repris le contrôle », Kemi Seba publie une vidéo du colonel Tigri". Senenews (in French). Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  51. ^ 🚨Bénin:Kemi Seba affirme qu'un coup d'État serait en cours et livre sa lecture de la situation poli. Retrieved 8 December 2025 – via Youtube.
  52. ^ "Bénin : une journée d'intox des putschistes sur un coup d'État manqué". France 24 (in French). 8 December 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  53. ^ Ignace B. Fanou; F. Aubin Ahéhéhinnou (8 December 2025). "Les Démocrates saluent le rétablissement de l'ordre par les Forces Armées". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  54. ^ Ahéhéhinnou, F. Aubin (9 December 2025). "Yayi condamne la tentative de coup d'Etat et exprime sa solidarité à Talon". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  55. ^ Ignace B. Fanou; F. Aubin Ahéhéhinnou (8 December 2025). "L'UIB exprime sa compassion au chef de l'Etat et aux personnes affectées". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  56. ^ Ignace B. Fanou; F. Aubin Ahéhéhinnou (8 December 2025). "FCBE condamne la tentative de prise de pouvoir par les armes". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  57. ^ Mensah, Marc (8 December 2025). "L'ex président Soglo salue la réaction des Forces de Défense et Sécurité". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  58. ^ ZOHOUN, Judicaël (9 December 2025). "Grande Mobilisation Citoyenne pour dire Non au Coup d'Etat au Bénin". 24 HEURES AU BENIN (in French). Retrieved 9 December 2025.
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