A group of soldiers in the Benin Republic has announced the removal of President Patrice Talon in what appears to be a coup attempt.
The announcement was made on state television on Sunday, December 7, 2025, by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri and his team, who called themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR).
The group declared that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic,” though the president’s whereabouts remain unclear.The French Embassy reported gunfire near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence, and urged citizens to stay indoors for safety.
However, the presidency later stated that Talon is safe and that the regular army is regaining control. In November, Guinea-Bissau saw a coup with General Horta Inta-A leading a transitional government.
In 2023, Gabon’s Ali Bongo Ondimba and Niger’s Mohamed Bazoum were both ousted by military interventions. Burkina Faso, Mali, and other nations have also experienced similar seizures of power in recent years.Talon, who has been in power since 2016, was scheduled to step down next April.
Benin’s attempted coup is part of a worrying trend of military takeovers across West Africa in recent years. “This is a small group of people who only control the television,” the statement said. “The city and the country are completely secure.”