What exactly unfolded in Bénin on Sunday morning? On December 7th, the Béninese government announced it had successfully thwarted an attempted coup d’état in Cotonou. This declaration came after a group of soldiers appeared on public television, claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon from office.
President Patrice Talon, whose security was confirmed by his close associates, is scheduled to conclude his tenure next April. He will step down following a presidential election, having served two terms leading this small West African coastal nation. Bénin has enjoyed robust economic growth, yet faces significant challenges from jihadist violence in its northern regions.
By Sunday midday, the situation in Cotonou remained fluid. Reports indicated gunfire in the economic capital, with soldiers blocking access to the presidential palace. Despite these developments, residents in other parts of the city largely continued with their daily routines. Here’s what has been confirmed.
The “military committee for refoundation”
Earlier on Sunday, eight military personnel, identifiable by their various colored berets and armed with assault rifles, introduced themselves as the “Military Committee for the Refoundation” (CMR). They broadcast on Béninese television, declaring the ousting of President Patrice Talon.
The group announced that a lieutenant-colonel would serve as the “president of the CMR.” They justified their attempted power grab by citing the “continuous deterioration of the security situation in northern Bénin,” “neglect towards soldiers fallen in combat and their abandoned families,” and “unjust promotions at the expense of the most deserving personnel.”
Additionally, the CMR accused the government of a “disguised undermining of fundamental freedoms” and put forward a list of social demands.
President secured, key areas blocked by military
However, the Béninese army did not align with the coup plotters. Alassane Seidou, Bénin’s Interior Minister, later stated on television, “In response to this situation, the Béninese armed forces and their command, loyal to their oath, upheld their republican duties. Their swift response allowed them to maintain control of the situation and foil the maneuver.” These statements were made amidst reports from several witnesses to AFP of gunshots heard in Cotonou on Sunday.
Sources close to President Talon informed AFP earlier that morning that he was safe and that the national army was reasserting control over the city. This source characterized the putschists as a “small faction of individuals who only had access to television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the entire country are completely secure.”
An AFP journalist observed that military personnel had blocked access to both the national television station and the presidential complex. Entry was also restricted to several other critical areas, including the Sofitel, a five-star hotel in the economic capital, and districts housing international institutions.
“Cleanup” operations underway
A military source, cited by AFP, confirmed that the situation was “under control” and that the coup plotters had not managed to seize “either the head of state’s residence” or “the presidency of the Republic.” The source added, “It is only a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The cleanup operation is proceeding effectively.”
The Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) issued a communiqué “firmly condemning this unconstitutional action, which constitutes a subversion of the will of the Béninese people.” CEDEAO affirmed its commitment to “support the government and people [of Bénin] by all necessary means.”
The African Union (AU) also strongly and unequivocally condemned the attempted coup, calling on all military personnel to return to their barracks. In a statement released on X, the AU additionally urged “all actors involved in the attempted coup to immediately cease all illegal actions” and to “promptly return to their professional duties.”
Talon and the authoritarian shift
Bénin’s political history has frequently been marked by numerous coups and attempted coups. Patrice Talon, who assumed power in 2016, is set to complete his second and constitutionally mandated final term in 2026.
The country’s primary opposition party has been excluded from the upcoming electoral contest, which will now feature the ruling party against a so-called “moderate” opposition figure.
While Patrice Talon has received commendation for Bénin’s economic development, critics frequently accuse him of steering the nation towards authoritarianism. This shift is particularly noted in a country once celebrated for its vibrant democratic institutions.
The West African region has experienced a surge in coups d’état since the turn of the decade, with incidents reported in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and most recently, in late November, in Guinea-Bissau.