BREAKING: Benin Republic soldiers launch coup, hit President Talon’s residence and seize state TV
Fresh reports from Beninese media suggest that a coup is currently unfolding in Cotonou after unrest broke out early on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
According to the news outlet TchadOne, armed soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri attacked President Patrice Talon’s home in the Le Guézo area at dawn. A few hours later, Tigri appeared on national television — now believed to be under military control — and announced himself as the “chairman of the military re-establishment committee.”
The atmosphere in Cotonou remains tense and unpredictable, with sightings of soldiers stationed around several key locations. TchadOne has pledged to provide continuous updates as the crisis develops. So far, President Talon and his administration have not issued any official response.
The unrest in Benin adds to a growing list of military takeovers across West Africa, highlighting ongoing challenges facing the region’s fragile democracies.
Just last month, Guinea-Bissau became the latest hotspot when army generals seized power on the eve of a presidential vote. Gunfire erupted near the presidential palace, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló was detained, and the election was halted. General Horta Inta-A was installed to lead a one-year transition, drawing condemnation from ECOWAS. Nigeria later granted asylum to opposition candidate Fernando Dias da Costa amid safety concerns.
Mali’s political turmoil has persisted since the 2020 and 2021 coups that brought Colonel Assimi Goïta to power. In August 2025, the junta said it foiled another coup attempt, arresting two generals and a French national. Political parties remain banned, elections are delayed indefinitely, and rising insecurity has deepened public frustration.
Burkina Faso has faced similar tensions under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who took power in 2022. Authorities claimed to have stopped a coup attempt in April 2025 involving senior officers allegedly linked to terrorist groups. The junta has since tightened control, postponed elections, and introduced strict reforms — including a proposal reinstating the death penalty for treason and terrorism.
Niger Republic’s 2023 coup also marked a major setback for the region. President Mohamed Bazoum was removed by his presidential guard, with General Abdourahamane Tchiani taking charge. The junta cited economic hardship and security concerns, but two years later, Niger remains under military rule with sanctions, diplomatic strain, and mixed public reactions shaping its political landscape.
Together, these developments underscore a worrying trend of democratic backsliding across West Africa, with rising insecurity, political infighting, and public mistrust fueling repeated military takeovers.
Source: saharareporters