The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed elements of its standby force to the Republic of Benin after a sudden coup attempt by a faction of soldiers was swiftly suppressed by loyal government forces.
The incident unfolded on December 7, 2025, when a group of mutinous soldiers stormed the national television station in Cotonou and announced they had seized power, dissolved state institutions, and removed President Patrice Talon from office. The soldiers claimed the country would now be governed by a military regime led by Pascal Tigri, a little-known officer who appeared on live television during the broadcast.
The attempted takeover was short-lived. According to Benin’s interior ministry, loyal security forces quickly mobilised, engaged the mutineers, and reclaimed control of key state installations. By mid-day, government troops had restored order at the national broadcaster and several military facilities occupied during the mutiny.
At least 13–14 soldiers allegedly involved in the attempted coup were arrested. The whereabouts of Tigri remain unclear, with conflicting reports suggesting he may have fled or gone into hiding.
Government officials described the event as an “isolated betrayal” by a small faction within the military and assured citizens that the constitutional government remained firmly in control.
In response to a formal request from Benin’s government, Nigeria deployed air and ground forces to support the restoration of stability. Military jets reportedly conducted aerial surveillance and deterrence flights, helping security forces retake areas held by coup plotters.
ECOWAS condemned the coup attempt as an unconstitutional act and immediately activated its standby force for rapid deployment to Benin. Troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone are part of the intervention team tasked with:
-
Supporting the Beninese armed forces
-
Protecting constitutional order
-
Preventing any resurgence of mutinous activity
-
Safeguarding strategic national assets
The regional bloc said it would not tolerate further attempts to destabilise a member state, stressing that West Africa must resist the growing trend of military coups witnessed in recent years.
The failed coup marks one of the rare instances in recent West African history where an attempted military takeover was quickly defeated. Analysts say the rapid response from Nigeria and ECOWAS sends a strong signal to would-be coup plotters across the region.
For Benin, historically viewed as a stable democracy, the attempt raises concerns about discontent within portions of its military. For ECOWAS, it serves as a major test of its commitment to defending democratic governance in a region increasingly threatened by unconstitutional seizures of power.
President Talon has yet to make a full national address on the incident, but government officials insist that the situation is fully under control and that investigations will continue.