On Sunday morning, December 7, military personnel in Bénin declared on state television that they had “removed from office” President Patrice Talon. However, sources close to the president swiftly confirmed his safety and stated that the armed forces were re-establishing control across the nation.

President Talon was scheduled to conclude his tenure leading this small West African coastal nation, known for its robust economic growth but also grappling with jihadist violence in its northern regions, next April during the presidential elections. West Africa has experienced a notable surge in coups since the start of the decade, with incidents reported in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and most recently, in late November, in Guinea-Bissau.

Earlier on Sunday, a faction of military officers, identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), announced President Patrice Talon’s deposition via Bénin’s public television. The broadcast signal was subsequently interrupted later that morning.

Following the military’s declaration, an individual within Patrice Talon’s inner circle confirmed the president’s security and asserted that the national army was restoring order. “This involves a small faction that only managed to seize the television station. The legitimate army is regaining full control. The city (Cotonou) and the entire country are completely secure,” the source stated.

The French Embassy reported on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday morning that “gunshots were heard near the residence of the President of the Republic” in Cotonou, urging French nationals to remain indoors “as a precautionary measure.”

A military source further corroborated that the situation was “under control,” emphasizing that the attempted coup leaders had failed to seize “either the head of state’s residence” or “the presidential palace.” The source added, “It’s only a matter of time until everything returns to normal. The clearing operation is progressing effectively.”

restricted access in key areas

By Sunday morning, a journalist observed that military personnel had blocked access to the national television station and the presidential complex. Entrances to several other locations, including the Sofitel, a five-star hotel in the economic capital, and districts housing international institutions, were also restricted. However, no military presence was noted at the airport or in other parts of the city, where residents continued their daily routines undisturbed.

Bénin’s political history is marked by numerous coups and attempted overthrows. President Patrice Talon, in power since 2016, is set to complete his second and constitutionally mandated final term in 2026. The primary opposition party has been excluded from the upcoming electoral race, which will feature the ruling party against a so-called “moderate” opposition candidate.

While Patrice Talon is widely recognized for fostering Bénin’s economic development, critics frequently accuse him of steering the country towards authoritarianism, a stark contrast to its previous reputation as a beacon of democratic vitality.