Benin Republic’s government says its armed forces have stopped an attempted coup after a group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming they had seized power.
The development marks another moment of tension in a region already shaken by repeated military takeovers.
Okay News reports that the incident unfolded early Sunday and led to brief unrest in parts of Cotonou, the country’s largest city.
What the Soldiers Claimed
The soldiers, at least eight of whom were shown wearing helmets, said they were acting under a new Military Committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal.
During the broadcast, they announced the dissolution of national institutions, the suspension of the constitution and the closure of the country’s air, land and maritime borders.
“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” one of the soldiers said while reading their statement.
Government Says Coup Failed
However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later issued a counter statement saying the plot had failed.
According to him, the mutiny began early on Sunday and was quickly contained by loyal forces.
“In the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions,” Seidou said.
“Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic.”
Foreign Minister Confirms Control Restored
Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari also confirmed to Reuters that “a small group” attempted to overthrow the government, but security forces aligned with President Patrice Talon were working to restore calm.
Residents in Cotonou reported hearing gunfire in several neighbourhoods early Sunday as people were heading to church.
While the situation appeared tense in the morning, authorities said control had been re-established by afternoon.
Regional Context
The attempted coup adds to ongoing concerns about political instability in West Africa, where military juntas have taken power in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and most recently Guinea-Bissau.
Benin Republic, which has maintained democratic governance since 1991, had been seen as one of the more stable countries in the region.
What Happens Next
The government has not yet announced arrests or provided details on how many soldiers were involved in the attempted takeover.
It also remains unclear what motivated the mutiny or whether the soldiers had broader support within the military.
President Patrice Talon, who has been in power since 2016, has not made a public statement following the incident.
Okay News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
