Talon
By Iyunade Grace
On the morning of December 7, 2025, Benin woke up to the shock of a coup announcement. A group of soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) stormed the state broadcaster and declared that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office .The claim was broadcast live, sending a wave of confusion through Cotonou and the rest of the country.
The mutineers, about eight strong and armed with assault rifles, wore berets of various colours and proclaimed a lieutenant colonel as the head of their “refoundation” committee. They justified the move by citing the “continuous deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin” and alleged neglect of soldiers and their families .Their statement was short‑lived, as the signal was cut after a few minutes.
Interior Minister Alassane Seidou quickly appeared on Facebook, assuring citizens that the attempt had been “foiled”. He said loyalist troops had regained control of key points, including the presidential palace and the TV station, and that the situation was under control. A military source confirmed that around a dozen soldiers were arrested in the clean‑up operation.
Both ECOWAS and the African Union issued strong condemnations, calling the mutiny an unconstitutional subversion of Benin’s democratic order and pledging support to the government The French and U.S. embassies warned their nationals to stay away from the capital, while the French embassy reported gunfire near Talon’s residence.
President Patrice Talon, who has been in power since 2016 and is set to hand over in April 2026, is known as the “cotton king” and has been praised for economic reforms but also criticized for authoritarian tendencies .His term is limited to two terms, and the upcoming election is expected to be a contest between his chosen successor, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, and a fragmented opposition .
By late afternoon, the streets of Cotonou were quiet, with the army maintaining a visible presence and residents going about their business. The government urged citizens to continue normal activities, and officials said the “clean‑up is progressing well” ³The incident highlights how even relatively stable West African states are vulnerable to the coup contagion sweeping the region.
