Benin President Patrice Talon Says Security Forces Foiled Coup Attempt Promises Punishment for Plotters

The government of Benin announced on Sunday that its armed forces successfully thwarted a coup attempt by a group of soldiers, and President Patrice Talon vowed that the plotters will be punished.

What Happened

• Early on Sunday morning, a group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming they had seized power, dissolved the government, suspended the constitution and closed the country’s borders. They named their group the “Military Committee for Refoundation” and appointed Pascal Tigri (also spelled Col. Tigri Pascal) as leader.
• Shortly thereafter, loyalist forces supported by allied troops from neighboring Nigeria moved in, regained control of seized sites (including the national broadcaster), and cleared remaining pockets of resistance.
• The government says 14 individuals have been arrested in connection with the coup attempt.
• President Talon addressed the nation Sunday evening, condemning the mutiny as treachery, thanking the armed forces for their loyalty, and promising that the “adventurers” behind the coup will not go unpunished.

Wider Implications For Benin, Region & Democracy

• The swift suppression of the mutiny may reinforce the strength of institutions and the resolve of security forces, but it also exposes undercurrents of dissent within the military, possibly tied to dissatisfaction over security challenges in the north, perceived neglect of fallen soldiers, or political grievances.
• The involvement of Nigerian forces (air and ground) in helping to dislodge the plotters underlines how regional cooperation may play a growing role in averting and responding to destabilizing events.
• For regional stability: Given a string of coups and attempted coups across West Africa in recent months, the incident in Benin adds to regional anxiety and could prompt stronger intervention by regional bodies like ECOWAS to safeguard constitutional order in member states.

What to Watch Next

• Investigations: Who masterminded the coup? What were their motivations? Will there be more arrests, and will the government release more details?
• Stability through the election period: With the 2026 presidential election approaching, will the security situation remain stable or could more unrest follow?
• Regional reaction: How will ECOWAS and other regional bodies respond? Will this lead to increased military cooperation or new mechanisms for prevention of coups?
• Civil liberties and oversight: Given concerns about political power consolidation in recent years in Benin, observers will watch whether this incident leads to tighter security controls or renewed calls for transparency and accountability.