A group of soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) announced early Sunday on Benin’s public television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon from power. However, the presidency swiftly denied the claim, stating that the president remained secure and that government forces were regaining full control of the situation.

government forces respond to coup attempt

Within hours of the televised announcement, a close aide to President Talon told international media that the head of state was under protection and that the regular army had retaken control of key institutions. Authorities also insisted that the coup attempt was limited to a small television broadcast and had not affected critical government sites.

“This is a small group trying to take over a television station. The legitimate army has restored order. The city of Cotonou and the entire country are fully secure,” the source said.

international reactions and security alerts

The French Embassy in Cotonou issued a security advisory on X (formerly Twitter), reporting gunfire near the president’s residence. It urged French citizens to remain indoors as a precaution.

Military sources later confirmed that the situation was fully under control, with no insurgents gaining access to either the presidential residence or the official presidential palace. “It’s only a matter of time before everything returns to normal. Cleanup operations are proceeding as planned,” a defense official stated.

regional context: west africa’s coup crisis

This attempted putsch comes amid a wave of political instability across West Africa. Since 2020, military takeovers have occurred in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and most recently in Guinea-Bissau at the end of November 2025.

patrice talon’s leadership and political challenges

President Patrice Talon, who has led Benin since 2016, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in 2026. His tenure has been marked by steady economic growth, but critics accuse him of steering the country toward authoritarianism—once a hallmark of Benin’s vibrant democracy.

The upcoming presidential election is expected to feature the ruling party and a single “moderate” opposition candidate, as the main opposition bloc has been excluded from the race.

historical instability in Benin

Benin has a long history of political turbulence, including multiple coups and attempted coups since gaining independence. Despite recent progress in economic development, the nation continues to grapple with security threats in its northern regions, where jihadist violence persists.