The early morning hours of 7 December 2025 saw a dramatic turn in Benin's political landscape as elements of the nation's armed forces attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon . The attempted coup, which saw sporadic gunfire and a public announcement on state television, has left the West African country in a state of uncertainty. This incident, reminiscent of previous military interventions in the region, underscores the volatile political climate in Benin .
In the early hours of 7 December, elements of the Benin Armed Forces launched an attack on President Talon's residence in Cotonou, marking a significant escalation in the nation's political tensions . As the day unfolded, reports of sporadic gunshots and the appearance of soldiers on state television added to the chaos. This bold move by a faction within the military was aimed at dismantling the existing government and seizing control .
The attempt to overthrow the government was announced by a group of soldiers on state television, where they declared the dissolution of the government, a move that was swiftly countered by loyalist troops . The government of Benin quickly responded, asserting that the attempted coup had been thwarted. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed that loyalist forces had regained control, with 14 plotters arrested in the process .
The Benin government's swift response to the attempted coup has been widely reported, with both the interior and foreign ministers issuing statements to reassure the public. The government's ability to regain control highlights the resilience of the nation's armed forces and their commitment to maintaining stability, as noted by the interior minister .
President Talon, who has been notably silent in the immediate aftermath of the attempted coup, finally broke his silence, condemning the attempt and expressing his gratitude to the loyalist troops for their swift action . This condemnation comes as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the failed coup, with many questions remaining about the motives and future implications of the military's actions.
The American Embassy in Benin, along with other international observers, has been closely monitoring the situation, expressing concerns over the "unconfirmed reports of a coup by members of the military" and the gunshots heard in Cotonou . The embassy's statement reflects the international community's watchful eye on the ongoing political tensions in Benin, as the nation works to stabilize and recover from this attempted coup.
As the nation begins to recover from the chaos, the Beninese government's handling of the situation has been met with both praise and scrutiny. While the swift response by loyalist troops has been commended, questions remain about the motivations behind the coup attempt and the future of political stability in the nation. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as Benin strives to maintain its sovereignty and democratic values in the face of military intervention.
