DEVELOPING STORY: Confusion and Tension in Benin as Soldiers Announce Coup on State Television

The Republic of Benin, long regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies, was plunged into uncertainty early Sunday after a group of soldiers appeared on national television announcing that they had seized power and removed President Patrice Talon from office.

The soldiers identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) declared the dissolution of government institutions, suspension of the constitution, closure of national borders, and prohibition of political activities. The address was broadcast from the headquarters of the Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Bénin (ORTB), which the mutineers seized at dawn.

Their statement claimed that “mismanagement” and “national deterioration” compelled the armed forces to intervene. They further alleged that national leadership had “strayed from constitutional principles,” though no evidence was provided.

A Coup Attempt or a Contested Mutiny? Government Says Situation “Under Control”

Even as the announcement reverberated across Benin and the region, the government quickly countered the claims.

Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari dismissed the takeover as the action of “a small group of mutinous soldiers,” insisting that the vast majority of the armed forces remain loyal and that the situation is being “brought under control.”

Presidency officials stated that President Talon is “safe,” though they did not disclose his location, fuelling speculation across Benin’s political and diplomatic circles.

Gunfire was reported near parts of Porto-Novo earlier in the morning, but several districts remained calm. Sources indicate that the mutineers’ control may initially have been limited to the state broadcaster rather than to central government installations or the presidential residence.

The lack of clarity has deepened public unease, with many awaiting confirmation of whether the attempted takeover has been contained or is the start of a broader confrontation within the armed forces.

Benin’s Stability at a Crossroads Ahead of 2026 Elections

The crisis comes at a sensitive political moment. Benin is scheduled to hold presidential elections in April 2026, when President Talon was widely expected to step down after completing his second term. The ruling parties had already endorsed Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as their candidate, setting the stage for a competitive transition.

For a country that has not experienced a coup since its return to multiparty democracy in 1991, the events of December 7 mark a dramatic rupture and raise questions about leadership succession, military cohesion, and the resilience of democratic institutions.

Regional Implications: Another Flashpoint in West Africa’s Coup Wave

Benin’s attempted coup adds to a troubling pattern across West and Central Africa, where more than half a dozen military takeovers have occurred since 2020. Analysts warn that a successful power grab in Benin could further weaken the region’s democratic norms and offer a dangerous signal to militaries in other states.

International observers note that Benin has been a relatively stable democratic actor in a region marked by turbulence in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, Chad, and Gabon. A coup here would represent one of the most significant reversals in the region’s democratic trajectory in recent years.

Awaiting International Response: ECOWAS and AU Expected to React

Although formal statements from ECOWAS, the African Union, and major international partners had not yet been issued at the time of reporting, diplomatic watchers anticipate swift condemnation if the coup attempt proves more than a short-lived mutiny.

ECOWAS has struggled in recent years to deter military takeovers, but Benin, a founding member with historically strong regional ties is likely to receive close attention. The AU’s Peace and Security Council is also expected to convene urgently as the situation becomes clearer.

Foreign embassies in Cotonou and Porto-Novo have begun issuing cautionary notes to their staff and nationals, advising limited movement until the security landscape stabilizes.

A Fluid and Uncertain Situation

As of Sunday afternoon, the picture remains unclear:

• The mutineers insist they have taken control of state institutions.
• Government officials claim loyal forces are re-establishing order.
• The whereabouts and immediate security posture of President Talon remain undisclosed.
• The reaction of the broader military hierarchy has not yet been fully observed.

For now, Benin stands at an inflection point: between its long-standing democratic reputation and the rising tide of military interventions in the region.

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more confirmed information becomes available.