Benin thwarts coup attempt as soldiers briefly mutiny ahead of 2026 election: Video
Benin’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou has announced that the country’s armed forces successfully prevented a coup attempt on Sunday, December 7, following a brief mutiny led by a small group of soldiers.
In a video address from Cotonou, Seidou said the soldiers had attempted to “destabilise the state and its institutions” early on December 7, 2025.“Benin’s armed forces, true to their oath, remained republican,” he said, noting that a swift counter-operation “kept control of the situation and thwarted the manoeuvre.” He urged citizens to remain calm and continue daily activities as normal.
The announcement came just hours after several soldiers reportedly appeared on national television claiming President Patrice Talon had been removed from office, months before the April 2026 presidential election. The group also said they were dissolving all state institutions and appointing Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri as head of a new military committee.
Meanwhile, the French Embassy reported gunfire at Camp Guézo, near the president’s official residence in Cotonou, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Sunday’s events.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
