Benin’s interior minister has said that an earlier announced coup by a group of soldiers on Sunday has been foiled.
“In the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions,” Alassane Seidou said. “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic.”
Soldiers had earlier announced that they had carried out a coup ousting the president and dissolving all state institutions.
The group of soldiers on Benin’s national television had claimed to have seized power on Sunday.
“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice and work prevail,” said a statement read by one of the soldiers who was flanked by half a dozen others, several wearing helmets.
“The constitution is suspended. All institutions are dissolved (and) political party activities suspended until further notice.”
But the government said the Armed Forces has now regained control.
Benin is set for presidential election next April with President Patrice Talon who has been in power since 2016 due to step down after the election.
Last month, Benin’s parliament extended the presidential term of office for the president from five to seven years, keeping the term limit at two.
Since independence from France in 1960, Benin has witnessed multiple coups, especially in the decades following its independence.
Since 1991 though Benin had been politically stable following the two-decade rule of Mathieu Kérékou.
