Benin Government Arrests Over a Dozen Soldiers, Including Ringleaders, Hours After Mutineers Attempted to Oust President Patrice Talon

Loyalist forces in the Republic of Benin have successfully thwarted an attempted military coup, with the government confirming the arrest of around a dozen soldiers in connection with the uprising. The swift arrests, which include the operation’s ringleaders, follow a dramatic start to the day where a group of military personnel briefly seized the state television station.

In the early hours of today, Sunday, December 7, 2025, a faction of the army, calling itself the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR), appeared on state television to announce the dissolution of all state institutions and the removal of President Patrice Talon. The soldiers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, cited reasons including the “continuous deterioration of the security situation” in Northern Benin and grievances over military welfare and promotions as their motivation.

However, within hours of the televised announcement, Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, released a video statement asserting that the mutiny was contained and the coup attempt had been “foiled” by the Beninese Armed Forces, who maintained control and commitment to the republic. Military and security sources later confirmed that between 13 and 14 soldiers had been detained, with most of them being active service members.

The coup attempt drew immediate and strong condemnation from regional and continental bodies. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) swiftly denounced the action as an “unconstitutional move,” urging the military personnel involved to return to their barracks. President Talon, who is due to step down in April 2026 after ten years in office, later addressed the nation, confirming that the plot had been defeated and vowing that the “treachery will not go unpunished.”