On 7 December 2025, a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) appeared on Benin state television and announced that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office — an extraordinary on-air proclamation that briefly suggested a takeover of the government.
Hours after the broadcast, Benin’s presidency and senior government officials said the president was safe and that loyalist elements of the armed forces and the national guard had regained control of key installations. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later described the events as a mutiny by a small group of soldiers that had been thwarted, saying regular forces had restored order.
The French Embassy in Cotonou reported that gunfire was heard at Camp Guézo, close to the president’s official residence, and urged French nationals to stay indoors while authorities worked to secure the area. Local reports said the mutineers briefly controlled the signal to state television but did not seize broad military or administrative control.
The episode comes amid a run of instability across parts of West Africa this year — including coups and coup attempts in neighbouring and nearby states — and follows recent political tensions within Benin such as contested constitutional changes and security concerns in the north. Regional bodies and international partners, including ECOWAS and the African Union, condemned the apparent coup attempt and called for the preservation of constitutional order.
Key facts and developments
- Who announced the takeover: Soldiers on state TV identifying as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR); some reports named Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as a figure linked to the broadcast.
- Government response: Presidency and the interior minister said the attempt was limited, that President Talon is safe, and that loyal armed forces had regained control and secured the capital.
- Security incidents: Gunfire at Camp Guézo near the president’s residence was reported by the French Embassy; authorities warned residents and foreign nationals to remain sheltered while order was restored.
- Regional context: The attempt comes after a string of recent military interventions across the Sahel and parts of West Africa, heightening concern about stability in the region.
What to watch next
- Official confirmations from Beninese government spokespeople on any arrests, the status of mutineers, and security measures.
- Statements and possible actions from ECOWAS, the African Union and key foreign partners on sanctions, deployments, or diplomatic measures.
- Local security conditions in Cotonou and Porto-Novo, especially around military sites and government buildings.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, France24 and on-the-ground reporting (summarized).
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