In the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025, a group of uniformed soldiers in the Republic of Benin seized control of the national broadcaster and used the airwaves to declare they had removed President Patrice Talon from office. The soldiers — who identified themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) — named Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal (Tigri) as their leader and announced the dissolution of state institutions, the suspension of the constitution, and the closure of national borders. The dramatic events triggered gunfire reports near the presidential residence and prompted immediate responses from government officials and international observers.
What happened — the immediate sequence
According to dispatches from international wire agencies and regional broadcasters, the takeover began with armed personnel entering the state television station and broadcasting a statement announcing the removal of President Talon and the suspension of political parties. Gunfire was reported in parts of Cotonou (Benin’s largest city) and near the official presidential residence, fueling fears of a wider confrontation. The broadcast group, styled as a reform committee, said it aimed to establish a new order and promised to restore “fraternity, justice and work” — language similar to that used in other recent West African coups.
Almost immediately, the Talon administration pushed back. The government and the foreign minister stated that the situation was being contained, that the seizure of the TV station involved a small faction, and that most of the armed forces remained loyal to the constitutionally recognized authorities. State communications were intermittently cut, and the signal was reported as disrupted after the insurgent broadcast. At the time of reporting, officials said efforts were underway to re-establish control over key installations.
Who is at the center of this?
The soldiers on screen introduced themselves under the banner of the Military Committee for Refoundation and named Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri (sometimes reported as Pascal/Tigri Pascal depending on source formatting) as their spokesman and chairman. Little verified public information about Tigri’s background has been available in the immediate aftermath; state TV images showed armed servicemen delivering the proclamation. International outlets are treating the identity and motives of the group cautiously as they corroborate claims.
Government position and immediate reactions
Benin’s foreign minister and presidency issued quick statements aimed at calming the population: they reported that President Talon was safe and that loyalist units were mobilizing to retake control of the seized infrastructure. International embassies — including France’s — warned citizens to stay indoors as shots were reported near military camps and the president’s residence. Government spokespeople emphasized that the coup plotters controlled only the state broadcaster for a time and that the “regular army” was responding.
Why it matters: the regional context
Benin’s apparent coup is the latest incident in a troubling recent pattern of political instability in West and Central Africa. Since 2020 a string of military takeovers has shifted the political landscape across the region — from Mali and Burkina Faso to Niger and others — raising concerns about democratic backsliding, security vacuums, and the humanitarian and economic consequences of abrupt regime changes. Analysts warn that each additional takeover increases regional fragility, complicates international diplomacy, and risks sanctions or isolation that would affect ordinary citizens.
Political background: Patrice Talon and the run-up to 2026
Patrice Talon, a businessman turned politician who first assumed office in 2016, had presided over a Benin that saw significant economic and institutional reforms — but not without controversy. Mr. Talon was widely seen as preparing to step down ahead of the 2026 presidential poll (or at least to influence his coalition’s succession), and some of his government’s constitutional and political moves had sparked domestic criticism. That political tension, coupled with regional instability, forms the immediate backdrop to Sunday’s events.
What we do and don’t know yet
Confirmed facts:
Armed personnel seized state television and announced the removal of President Talon.
The group broadcasting called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation and named an apparent leader.
Government officials assert President Talon is safe and that loyalist forces are responding to the seizure.
Reports of gunfire near the presidential residence and military installations circulated shortly after the broadcast.
Unconfirmed/ongoing:
The full strength, composition and motives of the coup faction remain unverified by independent reporters on the ground.
Casualty figures, if any, have not been confirmed.
The state of Benin’s borders, airports and ports is fluid; some sources report closures announced by the coup group, but practical enforcement is still being assessed.
Likely short-term consequences
If the coup stabilizes with the junta controlling key institutions, Benin — a country long regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies — could see rapid diplomatic fallout: suspension from regional blocs, targeted sanctions, and a withdrawal of development cooperation by some partners. Conversely, if loyalist forces quickly reassert control, authorities will likely attempt a rapid communication strategy to restore calm and deter copycat actors elsewhere in the region. Either scenario risks economic disruption, investor flight, and immediate hardship for citizens reliant on cross-border trade and services.
What to watch next
1. Official confirmation of President Talon’s status and location from the presidency or credible independent sources.
2. Whether the broader Benin Armed Forces back the CMR or remain loyal to constitutional leadership.
3. Movement and communications from regional organizations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and key international partners (France, EU, United States) on sanctions or mediation.
4. Reports of civilian impact — checkpoints, curfews, and access to food, medicine, and banking services in major cities.
Benin’s fragile calm: military faction broadcasts takeover; presidency says it’s contained. How this fits the wider West Africa coup wave. Read more.
Bottom line
Sunday’s seizure of Benin’s state broadcaster and the on-air proclamation of a removal of President Patrice Talon mark a sudden and dangerous escalation in a region already challenged by military interventions. Early signs point to a factional action with unclear reach beyond the television station; the official government’s quick denial that the entire military had defected and statements that loyalists were reclaiming control are crucial. At this stage the situation is highly fluid: independent verification on the ground will be essential to confirming what is a deeply consequential event for Benin and for West African stability.
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