Attempted coup in Benin, the army says it has regained control

An extremely confused situation unfolded in Benin on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 2025. According to reports, an attempted coup was launched at dawn in Cotonou. The residence of President Patrice Talon, located in the Le Guézo neighborhood, was attacked by a group of soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri.

In the early hours of the morning, the mutineers took control of the public television channel and broadcast a message announcing the removal of President Patrice Talon. Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri then proclaimed himself “president of the Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR).

In their address, the coup plotters said the country was now being led by the CMR, claiming to have “dismissed” Patrice Talon and appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri to head the transition.

They also released a statement listing a long series of grievances against the Talon administration, covering security, social, economic and political matters.

The Military Committee says it wants to “restore national cohesion” and promises to respect Benin’s international commitments, notably on human rights.

Regular army says it has regained control

Several hours after the coup plotters appeared on television, a military source close to President Talon told AFP that the situation was now “totally under control”.

According to this source, “It appears to be a small group of people who only had the television. The regular army is retaking control. The city of Cotonou and the country are completely secured, as are the president and his family.”

According to the same information, Patrice Talon was reportedly secured by loyalist forces.

A developing situation

For now, the regular authorities have not yet officially commented on any possible arrests or on the extent of the attempted coup. No information has emerged about any operations that may still be underway or the precise identities of the soldiers involved.