The coup announced in Benin on Sunday was “thwarted” by loyalist soldiers, the West African country's interior minister said in a Facebook video.
“In the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers rebelled with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions,” Alasan Seydou said. “Faced with this situation, the Benin Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained loyal to the Republic.”
Earlier on Sunday, a group of soldiers appeared on Benin state television to announce the dissolution of the government in a coup, the latest of many in West Africa.
Benin TV/Handout via REUTERS
A group calling itself the Military Revival Committee announced the removal of President Patrick Talon and all government institutions. According to the soldiers, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigris was appointed chairman of the military committee.
Soon after this, as eyewitnesses said CBS News partner BBC that they heard gunshots and that some journalists from the state television company were taken hostage.
The French Embassy in Benin reported on social media that a shooting occurred near the presidential residence in the city of Cotonou. The Russian Embassy in Benin urged its citizens to stay at home for their safety.
The US Embassy urged its citizens to stay away from Cotonou, especially the area around the presidential compound, following reports of gunfire and military activity.
Charles Placide Tossou / REUTERS 
Although there has been no official news about the Talon since the shots were heard, a presidential adviser told the BBC that the president was safe and in the French embassy.
The interrupted signal from state television and public radio has now been restored. It was not immediately clear what happened to the military group.
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, the West African country has seen many coups d'état, especially in the following decades. Since 1991, the country has become politically stable after two decades of rule by Marxist-Leninist Mathieu Kérékou.
Regional bloc the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the short-lived coup in a statement.
“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move, which represents an undermining of the will of the people of Benin. … ECOWAS will support the government and people in all forms necessary to protect the Constitution and territorial integrity of Benin,” the bloc said in a statement.
Talon has been in power since 2016 and was due to step down next April after the presidential election.
The favorite to win the election is former Finance Minister Romuald Vadanyi, elected from the Talon party. Opposition candidate Reno Agbojo was rejected by the electoral commission on the grounds that he did not have enough sponsors.
In January, two Talon associates were sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of plotting a 2024 coup.
Last month, the country's legislature extended the presidential term from five to seven years, maintaining the two-term limit.
The coup is the latest in a string of military coups to rock West Africa. Last month, a military coup in Guinea-Bissau ousted former President Humaro Embalo after a disputed election in which both he and the opposition candidate declared themselves winners.
