US EditionBenin Says Coup Attempt Foiled After Soldiers Seize State TV
A small group of soldiers briefly seized state TV, claiming to dissolve institutions and suspend the constitution, but loyalist forces regained control and arrested 14, officials said.
- On December 7, 2025, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said Benin's armed forces had thwarted an attempted coup and brought the situation under control.
- Citing security and economic complaints, the coup group Comit� Militaire pour la Refondation said it acted over northern Benin insecurity and economic mismanagement amid last month’s presidential term extension.
- On national TV the plotters named Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri and said they seized SRTB in Cotonou, held TV staff hostage, and the broadcast signal was cut later Sunday morning.
- The coup statement suspended national institutions and closed land, air, and sea borders, while government spokespersons reported arrests and blocked key sites in Cotonou; the French Embassy urged citizens to stay indoors.
- Regionally, the attempt adds to a string of coups in West Africa since 2020 and threatens the planned April presidential election where President Patrice Talon will step down.
203 Articles
203 Articles
Fourteen people have been arrested after a foiled military coup attempt, the government of Benin has announced.
A dozen soldiers were arrested on Sunday in Benin, following the attempted coup d'état in the morning in Benin's economic capital Cotonou, which the government claims to have "failed".
Eleven coups in five years: In Africa, the army is increasingly reaching for power. On Sunday, they are trying to do so in the West African coastal state of Benin – a few hours later, they appear to be arrested.
Benin Authorities Say Coup Attempt Foiled, President Talon Safe
Benin's interior minister on Sunday said that the army had thwarted an attempted coup by a group of soldiers. President Patrice Talon's entourage said he was safe while the regular army said it had regained control.
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