Benin Soldiers Announce Takeover As Another Military Coup Hits West Africa

Benin Soldiers Seize Power In Latest West Africa Coup

A group of soldiers in Benin have announced a coup, marking the latest military intervention to hit West Africa. Appearing on state television on Sunday, 7 December 2025, the troops declared the dissolution of the government and the removal of President Patrice Talon.

The soldiers, who identified themselves as the ‘Military Committee for Refoundation’ (CMR), made their announcement on Benin’s SRTB channel. They stated they had decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”

All state institutions were dissolved and the country’s borders were closed. The announcement plunged the nation into uncertainty, with the president’s whereabouts unknown.

Gunfire And Lockdown In The Commercial Capital

Residents in Cotonou, the commercial capital, reported hearing gunfire in the early hours of Sunday. The French Embassy posted an alert on X, stating that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo,” a key military base located near the president’s official residence. The embassy urged French citizens to stay indoors.

According to Bloomberg, police and military personnel were deployed at strategic intersections and around the port area following the broadcast. The Associated Press confirmed the soldiers’ appearance on television, noting it was “the latest of many in West Africa.” The group named Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri as the nation’s new leader.

A Coup On The Eve Of Political Transition

The military’s intervention comes at a critical political moment. President Patrice Talon, in power since 2016, was due to step down after presidential elections scheduled for April 2026. His chosen successor, former Finance Minister Romaud Wadagni, was considered the favourite to win.

The political landscape had recently been altered by parliament. Just last month, legislators voted to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, while maintaining a two-term limit.

Furthermore, the electoral commission had rejected the candidacy of prominent opposition figure Renaud Agbodjo, citing insufficient sponsors. These actions had heightened political tensions in the country.

A Troubled Region’s Latest Upheaval

This event continues a stark pattern of instability across West Africa. The region has witnessed a significant surge in military takeovers, with several successful coups since 2020 in nations including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. Analysts frequently point to a combination of drivers, such as insecurity from jihadist groups, public anger over corruption and poor governance, and rising anti-French sentiment in former colonies.

Benin had been regarded as a relatively stable democracy amidst this regional turmoil. The soldiers’ takeover on state television signals a concerning spread of military interventions to yet another West African state.

The situation remains developing.