Cotonou, Benin
AP
—
Benin President Patrice Talon on Sunday condemned an tried coup that was foiled by the nation’s military in his first public feedback since sporadic gunfire was heard in elements of the executive capital, Cotonou.
A bunch of troopers appeared on Benin ’s state TV earlier Sunday to announce the dissolution of the federal government in an obvious coup, which might have been the newest of many in West Africa. The group referred to as itself the Military Committee for Refoundation.
Later, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou announced in a video on Facebook that the tried coup had been “foiled,” however Talon had not commented.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express my condolences to the victims of this senseless adventure, as well as to those still being held by the fleeing mutineers,” the president stated in a televised tackle to the nation that ended his silence. “I assure them that we will do everything in our power to find them safe and sound.”
The president didn’t present figures on casualties or hostages.
“In the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny to destabilize the state and its institutions,” Seidou stated. “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic.”
The regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stated it has ordered the deployment of a regional troop comprising personnel from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana to assist Benin’s military to “preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin”.
Local media reported the arrest of 13 troopers who took half within the coup earlier on Sunday, citing sources near the presidency. It stays unclear if Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, the coup chief, has been apprehended. Gunfire was heard and troopers had been seen patrolling round some areas in Cotonou, however the metropolis has been comparatively calm because the coup try was announced.
The Military Committee for Refoundation had earlier stated that Tigri was appointed president of the army committee.
Following its independence from France in 1960, the West African nation witnessed a number of coups, particularly within the a long time following its independence. Since 1991, the nation has been politically secure following the two-decade rule of Marxist-Leninist Mathieu Kérékou.
The sign to the state tv and public radio, which was minimize off, has now been restored.
ECOWAS had earlier referred to as the tried coup “a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
Talon has been in energy since 2016 and is because of step down subsequent April after a presidential election.
Talon’s celebration choose, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, is the favourite to win the election. Opposition candidate Renaud Agbodjo was rejected by the electoral fee on the grounds that he didn’t have adequate sponsors.
In January, two associates of Talon had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for an alleged 2024 coup plot.
Last month, the nation’s legislature extended the presidential term of office from 5 to seven years, preserving the time period restrict at two.
The coup try is the newest in a string of army takeovers which have rocked West Africa. Last month, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau eliminated former President Umaro Embalo after a contested election during which each he and the opposition candidate declared themselves winners.