Benin’s authorities successfully contained an attempted military coup on Sunday after a faction of soldiers claimed on state television that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office.
The soldiers, identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), declared early on Sunday that Talon had been ousted. They cited worsening security in northern Benin, neglect of fallen soldiers’ families, and alleged unfair promotions within the military as reasons for their action.
However, a source close to President Talon confirmed that he was safe and denounced the coup as the work of “a small group of people who only control the television.” The source added that the regular army was restoring order and assured that Cotonou and the rest of the country were secure.
Residents in the economic capital reported seeing soldiers block access to the presidential offices while gunfire could be heard in some areas. Elsewhere in the city, daily life continued largely uninterrupted.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou described the soldiers’ actions as “a mutiny” aimed at destabilising national institutions. He confirmed that the Beninese Armed Forces had regained control and foiled the plot.
Television footage showed eight armed soldiers, wearing various-colored berets, proclaiming a lieutenant colonel as the head of the CMR. Despite the dramatic announcement, a military source confirmed that the insurgents did not occupy the president’s residence or key government offices. Certain districts, including a luxury hotel and areas housing international institutions, were temporarily blocked, though the airport remained accessible.
Regional body ECOWAS condemned the coup attempt, calling it “unconstitutional” and a direct challenge to the will of the Beninese people.
Benin has a history of coups and attempted power grabs since gaining independence from France in 1960. President Talon, a former businessman nicknamed the “cotton king of Cotonou,” came to power in 2016. He is set to complete his second term in 2026. While praised for economic development, Talon has faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies.
In neighboring West Africa, several countries including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau have experienced coups in recent years, highlighting the region’s ongoing political volatility.
About the Author
