• A group of soldiers announced the removal of President Patrice Talon, claiming to form a new military government.
• Interior Minister Alassane Seidou stated that the coup attempt has been thwarted and control restored.
• Gunfire was reported near the presidential residence, prompting security warnings from embassies.

On December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers in Benin appeared on state television declaring they had removed President Patrice Talon and dissolved all state institutions. They formed a group called the Military Committee for Refoundation, appointing Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as its president, according to aa, africanews, and indiatimes.

Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later announced on national television that the coup had been "foiled," asserting that "loyal soldiers" maintained control over the situation and safeguarded the republic. Reports indicated that gunfire was heard near the presidential residence, causing alarm among residents and prompting embassies to issue safety advisories, according to lemonde, indiatimes, and cbsnews.

The soldiers behind the coup claimed to cite growing unrest, including increasing jihadist violence, to justify their actions. Nonetheless, government sources confirmed that regular army units were "regaining control,” with no seizure of Talon's residence or presidential offices, according to scmp, aa, and africanews.

Observers have noted that this coup attempt aligns with a troubling trend of military takeovers in West Africa. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the coup as unconstitutional, asserting their intent to support Benin's government and uphold its constitutional integrity, as reported by cbsnews and africanews.