Mapaballo Borotho

- Benin President Patrice Talon says the situation is fully under control after an attempted coup.
- Loyal forces, supported by Nigeria, responded quickly after soldiers announced Talon’s removal on state TV.
- Thousands of soldiers have been arrested as the region continues to face frequent coups.
Benin’s President Patrice Talon says the situation is completely under control following an attempted coup that tried to overthrow his government in the country.
A group of soldiers on Sunday, 7 December 2025, announced that they had ousted President Talon on state television. That sparked a swift response from loyal army forces, joined by air strikes and troop deployments from neighbouring Nigeria.
Beninese military and security sources said thousands of soldiers had been arrested, including those behind the coup bid.
West Africa has experienced many coups in recent years, including in Benin’s northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, as well as Mali, Guinea and, most recently, Guinea-Bissau.
“I would like to assure you that the situation is completely under control and therefore invite you to calmly go about your activities starting this very evening,” Talon said late Sunday on state broadcaster Benin TV.
Talon is due to hand over power next year in April 2026 after 10 years in office, marked by solid economic growth but also a surge in jihadist violence.
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