A short-lived coup in Benin left casualties on both sides as government forces and mutinous soldiers clashed, authorities said Monday, while security forces continued to hunt the coup leader who remains on the run.
The attempted military takeover, which aimed to overthrow President Patrice Talon, lasted only a few hours before authorities announced it had been foiled. The event is the latest in a wave of coups across Africa, often linked to disputed elections, constitutional crises, security challenges, and youth discontent.
Government Secretary Edouard Ouin-Ouro said the mutinous soldiers attacked Talon around 5 a.m. on Sunday but were quickly overwhelmed by loyal troops. Nigerian and Ivorian forces assisted in thwarting the coup, with Nigeria deploying military aircraft to immobilise some of the mutineers’ armoured vehicles.
Several arrests have been made, though the coup’s apparent leader remains at large. Two senior military officers who had been held hostage were released. The government has not disclosed the number of casualties and is investigating to identify all perpetrators and sponsors.
The coup was announced on national television by a group of soldiers calling themselves the Committee for Refoundation, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. Eight soldiers broadcast the removal of Talon, the dissolution of the government, and the suspension of state institutions. Tigri was formerly part of Talon’s protection detail and commanded a National Guard battalion between 2023 and 2025.
By Sunday afternoon, Benin’s military, backed by Nigerian air and ground forces, had foiled the coup. Calm returned to Cotonou, the country’s administrative centre, on Monday, with soldiers stationed on the streets.
President Talon described the coup as a “senseless adventure” and said the situation is under control. He pledged to punish mutineers and ensure the safety of hostages, including senior military officers whose identities were not disclosed.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deployed a standby force to Benin to help preserve democracy, including troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. Nigerian authorities confirmed that Talon had requested their assistance.
Analysts note that Nigeria has strategic reasons to defend Benin, given its shared borders and ongoing domestic security challenges. The coup also highlights inconsistencies in ECOWAS’ responses to regional political crises, with varying levels of intervention in countries such as Gabon and Guinea-Bissau.
Despite its history of coups since independence in 1960, Benin has experienced relative stability over the past two decades. The country is scheduled to elect a new president in April 2026, as Talon prepares to step down after a decade in power.
