COTONOU, Benin – Benin’s government has foiled a major coup attempt, arresting over a dozen soldiers, including the ringleaders of the foiled operation, according to multiple military and security sources.
The dramatic events unfolded on Sunday, shaking the typically stable West African nation just months before a critical presidential transition. Sources indicate at least 13 individuals, all but one of whom are active-duty military personnel, are now in custody following the failed power grab.
The crisis began when soldiers identifying as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) seized control of the state broadcaster. In a televised announcement, they declared they had “removed” President Patrice Talon from office. The broadcast, which sent shockwaves through the country, coincided with reports of gunfire near the presidential palace. The French Embassy confirmed “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo,” a key military barracks near the president’s official residence in the economic capital of Cotonou, and advised its citizens to shelter in place.
Despite the alarming declarations, President Patrice Talon’s office quickly moved to reassure the nation and the international community. A statement to AFP confirmed the president's safety and asserted that the coup plotters were a "small group" that only controlled the television station. "The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure," Talon's office declared. This swift response from loyalist forces appears to have effectively quashed the attempted takeover within hours.
The attempted coup in Benin marks a significant breach in what has been considered a democratic stronghold in a region plagued by political instability. Benin, under Talon’s decade-long presidency, has been viewed as a relative anchor in West Africa, a region that has suffered eight successful coups since 2020 in neighboring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. The incident raises immediate concerns about the security of the constitutional process, as Talon is constitutionally mandated to step down in April 2026 after serving two terms.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation. While details are still emerging, the swift arrests suggest the plot was identified and contained by Benin's security apparatus.
The failed attempt underscores the persistent threat of military intervention in the region, even in more established democracies. Analysts will be watching to see if the government pursues a transparent legal process for the detained soldiers and how it manages the political climate in the lead-up to the 2026 elections. For now, the government maintains that order has been fully restored, but the day's events have undoubtedly exposed underlying tensions within the nation.