A coup d’état attempt unfolded this Sunday morning in Cotonou, Benin’s de facto capital. Soldiers appeared on public television, announcing the ousting of President Patrice Talon. However, the Beninese government quickly asserted that the attempted coup had been “foiled”. Here’s an overview of the unfolding situation.

What transpired in Cotonou?

Eight military personnel, identified as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), appeared on Beninese state television on Sunday morning, declaring they had removed President Patrice Talon from power. They wore berets of various colors and carried assault rifles.

The CMR proclaimed a lieutenant-colonel as their “president” and justified their seizure of power by citing the “continuous deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin,” “neglect of fallen soldiers and their families,” and “unjust promotions to the detriment of the most deserving.”

They further condemned the government’s “disguised undermining of fundamental freedoms” and presented various social demands.

Gunfire resonated in Cotonou on Sunday, with soldiers blocking access to the presidential palace. A journalist observed military personnel also restricting entry to the national television station. Access to several key areas, including the Sofitel, a five-star hotel, and districts housing international institutions, was also prohibited.

Despite these developments, most residents in the city continued with their daily routines.

Later, Alassane Seidou, Benin’s Minister of Interior, stated on television: “In response to this situation, the Beninese armed forces and their command, loyal to their oath, remained republican. Their swift response allowed them to maintain control and foil the maneuver.” He added, “This involved a small group of individuals who only controlled the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure.”

According to military and security sources, approximately a dozen soldiers, including those responsible for the attempted coup, have been apprehended.

Who is President Patrice Talon?

President Talon’s inner circle had informed an international news agency earlier in the morning that he was safe and that the army was re-establishing control over the city.

A military source confirmed that the situation was “under control” and that the plotters had not seized “either the head of state’s residence” or “the presidency of the Republic.” The source added, “It’s a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The clean-up operation is progressing well.”

Patrice Talon is scheduled to step down in April 2026, following a presidential election, after serving two terms leading this small West African coastal nation. Benin has experienced robust economic growth but faces jihadist violence in its northern regions. The constitution strictly limits presidents to two terms. The primary opposition party has been excluded from the upcoming race, which will feature the ruling party and a so-called “moderate” opponent.

While praised for Benin’s economic development, Patrice Talon has frequently been accused by critics of steering the country towards authoritarianism, a stark contrast to its past reputation for democratic vitality.

International responses to the Benin coup attempt

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a statement condemning “firmly this unconstitutional action which constitutes a subversion of the will of the Beninese people.” ECOWAS pledged to “support the government and the people (of Benin) by all necessary means.”

The African Union (AU) also condemned the attempted coup against President Patrice Talon in Benin on Sunday morning, calling for military personnel to return to their barracks.

In a statement posted on X, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, urged “all actors involved in the attempted coup to immediately cease all illegal actions” and to “return without delay to their professional obligations.”

Understanding the geopolitical context

Benin’s political history has been marked by multiple coups and attempted coups.

Notable instances include October 1963, when a military coup led by Colonel Christophe Soglo overthrew the government. The military, having returned power to civilians in 1964, seized control again in December 1965, entrusting leadership once more to Christophe Soglo, by then a General, who presided over a National Renovation Committee. Another putsch occurred in 1969, deposing Émile Derlin Zinsou and replacing him with a military directorate chaired by Paul Emile de Souza.

More recently, under President Patrice Talon’s tenure, Benin experienced two prior coup attempts: in 2020, and again in September 2024.

West Africa has witnessed a wave of coups since 2020, with military takeovers occurring in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and most recently, in late November 2025, in Guinea-Bissau.