A group of soldiers announced this Sunday that they had taken power in Benin, claiming to have deposed the president, Patrice Talon. Separately, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said in a statement that the West African country’s armed forces foiled the coup attempt.
The military heard the announcement through a statement read on public television in the country’s main city, Cotonú, speaking on behalf of the Military Committee for the Reimbursement of the Republic. “The Commission deliberated and decided the following: Sr. Patrice Talon is dismissed from his position as President of the Republic. Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal is appointed President of the Military Financing Committee of the Republic, as of today in Cotonú”, assured the uniforms.
Later, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou reported on BeninTV that the coup attempt had been stopped. “In the early hours of this Sunday, December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers joined a riot with the aim of destabilizing the State and its institutions. Before this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their hierarchy, faithful to their oath, remained republican. Their retaliation allowed them to maintain control of the situation and I failed in the maneuver,” explained Seidou.
The French embassy warned that “shots were reported at Camp Guezo, near the residence of the President of the Republic.” “For security reasons, we invite you to stay at home until further notice, until the situation is completely clarified,” added the French legation in a message addressed to its nationals.
Likewise, the United States Embassy assured that it was “monitoring reports of shootings in Cotonú, as well as unconfirmed data of a military coup.” In a press release, the American diplomatic mission recommends to its nationals to avoid “the area, in particular Cotonú and the areas surrounding the presidential complex”.
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