Soldiers patrol in front of the headquarters of Benin's radio and television station, after, according to Benin's Interior Minister, the country's armed forces thwarted the attempted coup against the government of Benin's President Patrice Talon, in Cotonou, Benin, December 7, 2025.

The country’s interior minister said the situation was under control after a “small group of soldiers launched a mutiny,” but the president had yet to make a public statement.

Lieutenant Colonel Tigri Pascal was named by the group, which calls itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, as transitional leader, according to reports. President Patrice Talon was expected to step down in 2026.

Soldiers stormed Benin's state TV to oust President Patrice Talon, but loyalists crushed the coup. Fourteen, including Lt Col Pascal Tigri, were arrested in West Africa's latest failed power grab.

The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has condemned the attempted seizure of power in the Republic of Benin after a

West Africa has experienced a number of coups in recent years, including in Benin’s neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso.

A group of soldiers on Benin's national television claimed to have seized power in the West African nation on Sunday, the latest threat to democratic norms