An attempted coup in Benin was thwarted early Sunday morning after a group of mutinous soldiers stormed the Benin Radio and Television Bureau (RTB) in Cotonou, the country's capital, local authorities and military sources reported. At least thirteen members of the group were arrested , although the leader of the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, and another accomplice managed to escape.
According to a military source, who requested anonymity, speaking to the EFE news agency, “among those detained is a former soldier who had been discharged from the service .” The incident took place with the explicit objective of overthrowing President Patrice Talon , in what the rebels called the “Military Committee for the Refounding of the Republic.”
Benin's Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou, confirmed the coup's failure in a televised address. “In the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers mutinied with the aim of destabilizing the State and its institutions. Faced with this situation, the Beninese people and their leaders, true to their oath, maintained their commitment to the Republic ,” he declared.
Seidou emphasized that government-loyal forces managed to restore order : “Their response allowed them to maintain control of the situation and thwart the attempt.” The minister called on citizens to “continue with their activities as normal ,” without providing further details about the operation or the whereabouts of the fugitives.
During the raid, the mutineers broadcast a statement on state television announcing Talon's removal: “Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from his position as President of the Republic. Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal is appointed President of the Military Committee for the Refounding of the Republic, effective today in Cotonou ,” the uniformed men read. However, Republican Guard forces regained control of the building within a few hours , according to local media reports.
The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reacted strongly. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, condemned the coup attempt “strongly and unequivocally ,” recalling that “any form of military interference in political processes constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles and values of the African Union.”
Yousouf urged those involved to "immediately cease all illegal activities, fully respect the Constitution of Benin and return without delay to their barracks and legitimate professional duties."
For its part, ECOWAS, a regional bloc comprised of twelve West African countries, including Benin, described the incident as an “unconstitutional act” that “constitutes a subversion of the will of the Beninese people.” In a statement, the regional body “commends the efforts made by the Government and the Armed Forces to control the situation” and reiterated its demand for “full respect for the Constitution of Benin.”
Benin is preparing for presidential elections in April 2026 , in which the current president, Patrice Talon, will be ineligible to run, having served his two constitutional terms . The Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, has been nominated as the candidate by the ruling coalition.
The regional context adds tension to the episode : just eleven days earlier, on November 26, 2025, a successful coup d'état overthrew the president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló , who fled abroad. The temporal and geographical proximity has raised concerns about potential domino effects on the stability of West Africa.
Although Benin was considered for years an example of democratic transition in the region , critics point out that Talon's government has eroded democratic guarantees . Two prominent opposition figures, Joël Aivo and Reckya Madougou, have remained imprisoned since late 2021 after being sentenced to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively.
Maeve - 4day
Can anyone shed light on Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri and motivation?
6
demerit - 4day
Talon is a pro-west neoliberal who was doing neoliberal stuff (like cutting soldiers salaries), along with increasing living costs and the expansion of the sahelian jihadist into northern benin caused a lot of unrest. While I dont think there are any concert motives per say, there was already some arrests made months prior, and I think the french assets moved into the country might have been to preempt that coup for succeding. The Niger-Benin Pipeline, as well naval access, is very crucial to the AES.
8
Maeve - 4day
Ok, I had a gut feeling it wasn't good, but I am woefully under informed. Thanks so much for the DL.
rainpizza in africa
Coup fails in Benin: 13 soldiers arrested after attacking state TV
https://www.telesurtv.net/golpe-benin-militares-detenidos/An attempted coup in Benin was thwarted early Sunday morning after a group of mutinous soldiers stormed the Benin Radio and Television Bureau (RTB) in Cotonou, the country's capital, local authorities and military sources reported. At least thirteen members of the group were arrested , although the leader of the operation, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, and another accomplice managed to escape.
According to a military source, who requested anonymity, speaking to the EFE news agency, “among those detained is a former soldier who had been discharged from the service .” The incident took place with the explicit objective of overthrowing President Patrice Talon , in what the rebels called the “Military Committee for the Refounding of the Republic.”
Benin's Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou, confirmed the coup's failure in a televised address. “In the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers mutinied with the aim of destabilizing the State and its institutions. Faced with this situation, the Beninese people and their leaders, true to their oath, maintained their commitment to the Republic ,” he declared.
Seidou emphasized that government-loyal forces managed to restore order : “Their response allowed them to maintain control of the situation and thwart the attempt.” The minister called on citizens to “continue with their activities as normal ,” without providing further details about the operation or the whereabouts of the fugitives.
During the raid, the mutineers broadcast a statement on state television announcing Talon's removal: “Mr. Patrice Talon is removed from his position as President of the Republic. Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal is appointed President of the Military Committee for the Refounding of the Republic, effective today in Cotonou ,” the uniformed men read. However, Republican Guard forces regained control of the building within a few hours , according to local media reports.
The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reacted strongly. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, condemned the coup attempt “strongly and unequivocally ,” recalling that “any form of military interference in political processes constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles and values of the African Union.”
Yousouf urged those involved to "immediately cease all illegal activities, fully respect the Constitution of Benin and return without delay to their barracks and legitimate professional duties."
For its part, ECOWAS, a regional bloc comprised of twelve West African countries, including Benin, described the incident as an “unconstitutional act” that “constitutes a subversion of the will of the Beninese people.” In a statement, the regional body “commends the efforts made by the Government and the Armed Forces to control the situation” and reiterated its demand for “full respect for the Constitution of Benin.”
Benin is preparing for presidential elections in April 2026 , in which the current president, Patrice Talon, will be ineligible to run, having served his two constitutional terms . The Minister of Economy and Finance, Romuald Wadagni, has been nominated as the candidate by the ruling coalition.
The regional context adds tension to the episode : just eleven days earlier, on November 26, 2025, a successful coup d'état overthrew the president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló , who fled abroad. The temporal and geographical proximity has raised concerns about potential domino effects on the stability of West Africa.
Although Benin was considered for years an example of democratic transition in the region , critics point out that Talon's government has eroded democratic guarantees . Two prominent opposition figures, Joël Aivo and Reckya Madougou, have remained imprisoned since late 2021 after being sentenced to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively.
Can anyone shed light on Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri and motivation?
Talon is a pro-west neoliberal who was doing neoliberal stuff (like cutting soldiers salaries), along with increasing living costs and the expansion of the sahelian jihadist into northern benin caused a lot of unrest. While I dont think there are any concert motives per say, there was already some arrests made months prior, and I think the french assets moved into the country might have been to preempt that coup for succeding. The Niger-Benin Pipeline, as well naval access, is very crucial to the AES.
Ok, I had a gut feeling it wasn't good, but I am woefully under informed. Thanks so much for the DL.