A faction of Benin’s military launched an attempted coup in the early hours of Sunday, declaring President Patrice Talon removed from office months before scheduled presidential elections. The group, identifying as the “Military Committee for the Refoundation” (CMR), made their announcement on state broadcaster Benin TV following reported gunshots near Camp Guezo military base adjacent to the presidential residence in Cotonou.
According to military sources, soldiers seized control of the national broadcasting facilities while gunfire erupted in areas surrounding the presidential compound. The insurgent faction declared they had convened and reached a decision to dismiss President Talon from his official functions.
Contrary to the military group’s claims, the Presidency issued an official statement confirming that government forces had successfully regained control of the situation. Authorities assured the public that President Talon remains secure and that constitutional order is being restored.
This political turmoil unfolds against the backdrop of significant constitutional changes approved by Benin’s legislature in November, which extended presidential terms from five to seven years while maintaining the two-term limit. The attempted power grab also occurs amid a broader pattern of military interventions across West Africa, including the recent ousting of Guinea-Bissau’s president following contested elections.
Benin, with a population of approximately 14 million people, has historically been regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies since transitioning from Marxist-Leninist rule in 1991. President Talon, initially elected in 2016 and reelected in 2021, was scheduled to complete his final term following elections originally planned for April 2026.