Bénin: understanding the attempted coup d’état on sunday morning

What exactly unfolded in Bénin this past Sunday morning? On December 7th, the Béninese government announced it had successfully “thwarted” an attempted coup d’état in Cotonou. This declaration came after a group of soldiers appeared on national television, claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon from his position.

Sources close to President Talon confirmed his safety. He is scheduled to conclude his second and final term in April next year, as mandated by a presidential election. Bénin, a small coastal nation in West Africa, has experienced robust economic growth, yet it faces challenges from jihadist violence in its northern regions.

By Sunday midday, the situation in Cotonou remained fluid. Reports indicated gunshots were heard in the economic capital, and military personnel had established blockades around the presidential palace. Despite this, life in other parts of the city appeared to continue as usual for residents. Here’s a breakdown of the known events.

The emergence of the “military committee for refoundation“

Early Sunday, eight military personnel, identifiable by their varied berets and armed with assault rifles, appeared on Béninese television. Identifying themselves as the “military committee for refoundation” (CMR), they declared the ousting of President Patrice Talon.

This group proclaimed a lieutenant-colonel as the “president of the CMR.” They justified their attempt to seize power by citing the “ongoing deterioration of the security situation in northern Bénin,” a perceived “neglect of soldiers fallen in combat and their families left to fend for themselves,” and “unjust promotions at the expense of the most deserving.”

Furthermore, the CMR members criticized what they described as a “disguised undermining of fundamental freedoms” by the current administration and presented a list of social grievances.

President secured, key areas blocked by military

However, the Béninese army did not align with the coup plotters. “In response to this situation, the Béninese armed forces and their command, loyal to their oath, remained republican. Their swift action allowed them to maintain control and thwart the maneuver,” stated Alassane Seidou, Bénin’s Minister of Interior, later on television. These remarks followed earlier reports from witnesses to AFP about gunfire heard in Cotonou on Sunday.

Earlier that morning, President Talon’s inner circle had informed AFP that he was safe and that the regular army was re-establishing control over the city. A source indicated, “This is a small group of individuals who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city (Cotonou) and the country are completely secure.“

An AFP journalist observed that military personnel had blocked access to the national television station and the presidential palace. Restrictions were also in place for several other areas, including the Sofitel, a prominent five-star hotel in the economic capital, as well as districts housing international institutions.

“Cleanup” operations underway

A military source, quoted by AFP, confirmed that the situation was “under control” and that the attempted putschists had failed to seize “either the head of state’s residence” or “the presidency of the Republic.” The source added, “It’s only a matter of time before everything returns to order. The cleanup operation is progressing well.“

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a statement condemning “firmly this unconstitutional action which constitutes a subversion of the will of the Béninese people,” pledging to “support the government and people (of Bénin) by all necessary means.“

The African Union (AU) also released a statement on X, affirming its “firm and unequivocal condemnation” of the attempted coup d’état. It urged the military personnel involved to immediately return to their barracks and called upon “all actors involved in the attempted coup d’état to immediately cease all illegal actions” and “return without delay to their professional obligations.“

Talon’s presidency and the shift towards authoritarianism

Bénin’s political history has been marked by numerous coups and attempted coups. President Patrice Talon, who assumed power in 2016, is set to conclude his second term in 2026, which is the constitutional limit.

The nation’s primary opposition party has been excluded from the upcoming electoral race, which is anticipated to feature the ruling party against a so-called “moderate” opponent.

While Patrice Talon has received commendation for Bénin’s economic progress, critics frequently accuse him of steering the country towards authoritarianism. This shift is particularly notable in a nation once celebrated for its vibrant democracy.

West Africa has experienced a surge in coups since the beginning of the decade, with incidents reported in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and most recently, in late November, in Guinea-Bissau.