A foiled coup attempt in Benin has prompted neighboring Nigeria and West Africa’s regional bloc (ECOWAS) to deploy troops to maintain security and stability.
Benin attempted coup is the latest in a series of military takeovers in West Africa, where soldiers have seized power in several countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and most recently Guinea-Bissau.
Benin Coup Attempt
Early on Sunday, December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on state TV and announced the removal of the President, Patrice Talon, and the dissolution of the government and all state institutions, reported AFP.
The soldiers were carrying assault rifles and wearing berets of various colors. They announced the appointment of Lt Col Pascal Tigri as the president of the committee.
They attributed their coup to several reasons, including the continuous deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin, the neglect of soldiers killed in action and their families, and the unjust promotions at the expense of the most deserving.
Regaining Control
Shortly after, Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, described the attempted coup as a “mutiny” aimed at “destabilizing the country and its institutions.” In a video on Facebook, Seidou declared: “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt.”
Gunfire was heard early Sunday in Benin’s economic capital, Cotonou, and soldiers were seen patrolling in some locations, blocking access to the presidential offices and state TV building. However, the city has been relatively calm since the coup attempt was announced.
Military and security sources pointed to the arrest of around 13 soldiers, including those behind the unsuccessful coup.
Later, President Talon addressed the nation in a televised speech, assuring them that the rapid mobilization forces loyal to the government thwarted the coup. “I would also like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the victims of this senseless adventure, as well as to those still being held by the fleeing mutineers,” he said.
“I assure them that we will do everything in our power to find them safe and sound,” he added, stressing that “this treachery will not go unpunished.”
Talon has been in office for ten years, with his second term due to end next April. Under his reign, Benin has seen solid economic growth but extremist violence has been on the rise. Moreover, Talon has faced criticism for authoritarianism.
African Condemnation
The coup attempt in Benin is the latest in a string of military takeovers and failed coups in the West Africa region. Over the past few years, militaries have taken control in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.
Benin has also seen several coups and attempted coups since its independence from France in 1960, with the last successful coup taking place in 1972.
The latest attempted coup sparked strong condemnation from the African Union (AU). In a statement, the AU Commission Chairman, Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, said that he “strongly and unequivocally condemns the military coup attempt” in Benin, voicing “deep concern over the troubling proliferation of military coups and coup attempts across parts of the region.”
He also stressed the AU’s “zero tolerance stance toward any unconstitutional change of government, regardless of context or justification,” underscoring support for Talon and Benin’s legitimate authorities and people.
Similarly, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned the attempted military takeover in Benin as an “unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
The bloc also expressed readiness to provide support “in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force” to defend Benin’s constitution and integrity.
Troops Deployment
Nigeria has confirmed it sent troops to neighboring Benin to help thwart the attempted coup, in response to two separate requests from Talon’s government.
In a statement, the office of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, said that the Nigerian leader “ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped.”
The second request involved the “deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Benin’s airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination” as well as “Nigerian ground forces” to protect constitutional institutions and contain armed groups.
Moreover, ECOWAS said that it had ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to Benin with immediate effect to support Benin’s government and armed forces in preserving the constitutional order and territorial integrity.
The ECOWAS force comprises troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana.
