Benin’s President Patrice Talon said the country remained stable and under full control after security forces stopped a coup attempt by a small group of soldiers in Cotonou on Sunday.

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Benin Government Says Attempted Coup Against President Talon Has Been Contained

In a televised address late Sunday, President Patrice Talon assured the public that “the situation is completely under control,” urging people to continue their daily activities. He added that security and public order would be maintained nationwide to guarantee freedom of movement.

Talon said “a small group of soldiers, under the pretext of spurious claims, has begun a mutiny with the aim of attacking the institutions of the Republic and destabilizing our nation, thus calling into question the democratic order.” He warned that if successful, the attempt “would have plunged our country into an adventure doomed to failure with disastrous consequences” and slowed ongoing development efforts.

He praised the armed forces for remaining “republican and loyal to the nation,” noting that security forces “retook our positions until the last pockets of resistance of the mutineers were dissipated.” According to Talon, “this commitment and mobilization allowed us to thwart these adventurers and prevent the destruction of our country. This betrayal will not go unpunished.” He also expressed condolences “to the victims of this senseless venture, as well as to those who are still being held by the fleeing mutineers,” though he provided no further details.

Security sources reported that at least 13 soldiers involved in the takeover of the national broadcaster, the Office of Radio and Television of Benin (RTB), were detained after the Republican Guard regained control of the building. The group had entered the RTB headquarters early Sunday with the apparent intention of overthrowing the government. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou later announced on public television that the coup attempt had failed.

Regional institutions reacted immediately. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned “this unconstitutional act,” describing it as a “subversion of the will of the Beninese people.” The African Union’s Commission President, Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, also condemned the incident “in a strong and unequivocal manner,” stressing that “any form of military interference in political processes constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles and values of the African Union.”

Following the failed coup, ECOWAS ordered the deployment of troops to support the Beninese authorities. Nigeria sent ground forces and combat aircraft into Benin, according to the Nigerian presidency. The regional standby force will include units from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Talon, who took office in 2016 and won re-election in 2021, launched an economic and political program focused on national development. Critics argue, however, that this period has coincided with a weakening of a democratic model once seen as a regional reference.

Benin is scheduled to hold presidential elections in April 2026. Talon will not seek another term, having completed the two constitutionally allowed five-year mandates.

Authorities said the security situation remained stable across Benin as investigations continued and regional forces prepared to assist the government following the failed uprising.

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