COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC – Political turmoil erupted in Benin today as a faction of military personnel announced on state television that they had seized power and ousted President Patrice Talon. However, the President’s office immediately refuted the claims, asserting that Talon is safe and the regular army is already regaining control.
The group responsible for the attempted takeover, identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), declared that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”. This announcement was broadcast across state media, plunging the country into uncertainty.
Key Developments and Regional Context
Contradictory Reports: While the CMR claimed success, President Talon’s entourage quickly released a statement to AFP, dismissing the attempted coup.
“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” his office insisted.
Reported Gunfire: The French Embassy in Cotonou acknowledged the serious nature of the situation, posting on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” near the president’s official residence in the economic capital. The embassy urged all French citizens to remain indoors.
Regional Instability: The attempt in Benin feeds into a worrying pattern of military takeovers in West Africa. It follows successful coups in Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in as many months. Furthermore, Benin is bordered by Niger and Burkina Faso, both of which have recently experienced military rule changes, fueling concerns of a spreading contagion of instability.
The Incumbent and the Lead-Up to Crisis
The attempted ouster of President Talon comes over a year after authorities thwarted a major coup plot in September 2024, which involved the arrests of prominent figures, including a former minister and the head of presidential security.
Talon’s Tenure: The 67-year-old former businessman, dubbed the “cotton king” of Cotonou, has been in office since 2016 and is due to reach the end of his second term in 2026, the maximum allowed by the constitution. While praised for driving economic development, critics frequently accuse his government of authoritarianism.
The Political Climate: Benin’s political scene has been increasingly restrictive. The main opposition party has been effectively excluded from the upcoming race to succeed Talon, leaving the field open only to the ruling party and a designated “moderate” opposition.
Historical Precedent: Benin’s own political history is marked by a number of successful and attempted coups, making the current crisis highly sensitive.
As of press time, reports on the ground remain fragmented, with a definitive picture of who controls the government still emerging.
