On Sunday morning, December 7, a group of soldiers in Bénin declared on national television that they had «removed from office» President Patrice Talon. However, the president’s close circle immediately dismissed the claim, insisting he was safe and that government forces were regaining control of the situation.
military group claims to have taken control
The soldiers, identifying themselves as the Committee for National Rebirth (CNR), broadcast their announcement on state television before the signal was cut. The move comes just months before Talon’s scheduled departure following the end of his second term in April, an election he was not eligible to contest due to constitutional term limits.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising instability in West Africa, where several neighboring countries—including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea—have experienced military takeovers in recent years.
government denies legitimacy of the coup attempt
A source within President Talon’s administration quickly countered the military’s statement, calling the move an attempted coup by a «small group with no real power». «The situation is under control. The regular army is restoring order. The city of Cotonou and the entire country remain secure,» the source stated.
The French embassy in Bénin also issued a security alert via X (formerly Twitter), warning of gunfire near the presidential residence in Cotonou and urging French citizens to remain indoors for their safety.
security measures and restricted access
According to a local journalist, military personnel had blocked access to the national television headquarters and the presidential palace. Key locations, including the Sofitel hotel in the economic capital and areas housing international institutions, were also cordoned off. Despite these measures, no military presence was reported at the airport or elsewhere in the city, where daily life continued as usual.
The military leadership later confirmed that the situation was «under control», asserting that the putschists had failed to seize either the presidential residence or the presidential palace. «Order will be fully restored shortly. Cleanup operations are underway,» a military spokesperson stated.
political context and talon’s legacy
Bénin has a history marked by instability, with multiple coups and attempted overthrows in the past. Patrice Talon, who has led the country since 2016, is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. His presidency has been praised for economic growth but criticized for an alleged authoritarian shift in a nation once celebrated for its democratic vibrancy. The upcoming election will pit his party against a self-described «moderate» opposition candidate, though the main opposition party remains excluded from the race.
