On Sunday, approximately 12 soldiers were arrested in Benin, according to military and security sources, following a coup attempt that took place that morning in Cotonou, the country's economic capital. The government confirmed that the attempt had been thwarted.
A military source stated that 13 people had been arrested, while another source clarified that "all those arrested are soldiers, one of whom had previously been discharged from our ranks." A security source indicated that the perpetrators of the coup attempt were among those arrested.
Failed Coup Attempt
Earlier on Sunday, Benin's Interior Minister announced that the armed forces had foiled a coup attempt by a group of soldiers who had seized control of the national television station and announced the president's dismissal.
Alassane Seydou said in a statement that the armed forces of the West African nation had thwarted a coup attempt.
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Early Sunday morning, soldiers in Benin announced on state television the "removal" of President Patrice Talon from his post and the seizure of power in the sub-Saharan African nation.
The soldiers, who identified themselves as the "Military Committee for Refoundation," declared that their group "met on Sunday, December 7, 2025, deliberated, and decided to remove Patrice Talon from his duties as President of the Republic."
In contrast, a military source close to Talon told AFP, "It's a small group that only controls the television station... The regular army has regained control... The capital, Cotonou, and the country are completely safe."
Everything is under control.
The source added, "Everything is under control... The president is safe, and they did not succeed in seizing the presidential residence or the presidential palace. It's only a matter of time before everything returns to normal. The purge is underway."
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The French embassy in Benin reported via its official news service on Sunday morning that "gunfire was reported at the Guizou camp, near the presidential residence" in Cotonou, urging French citizens to remain indoors "as a precaution." Benin's political history is marked by several coups and attempted coups.
Patrice Talon has been in power since 2016 and will complete his second term next year, the maximum allowed under the constitution.
The largest opposition party has been excluded from the presidential election, which is now a contest between the ruling party and an opposition candidate considered "moderate."
Despite praise for the economic development achieved in Benin under his rule, Patrice Talon is regularly accused by his opponents of adopting an authoritarian approach in a country once known for its democratic dynamism.
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