Why in news?
On 7 December 2025 a small group of soldiers took over Benin’s state television and announced that they had removed President Patrice Talon. They declared borders closed and claimed control of the country. Within hours loyal forces regained control of key sites, arrested the mutineers and restored the government. The failed coup highlights rising instability in West Africa.
Background
Benin, a West African nation of about thirteen million people, gained independence from France in 1960. After a series of military coups, it transitioned to multi‑party democracy in 1991. Businessman Patrice Talon has served as president since 2016. He has overseen economic growth but has been criticised for tightening his grip on power.
What happened
- On December 7, eight soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for the Refoundation” seized the national broadcaster and declared the government dissolved.
- Reports described gunfire in Cotonou. Neighbouring Nigeria dispatched fighter jets and troops to help loyalists retake the television station and a military camp.
- The interior minister called the event a mutiny rather than a full coup. Fourteen soldiers were arrested. President Talon addressed the nation after calm was restored and vowed retribution against the perpetrators.
The coup attempt follows a series of successful military takeovers in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Gabon. Regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the mutiny and reiterated their commitment to constitutional order. Analysts say frustration with perceived corruption and authoritarianism fuels support for military interventions, but Benin’s prompt response shows the resilience of its democratic institutions.
Source: CNBC
