Coup Attempt in Benin Republic — A Test for Regional Security Architecture

COTONOU / LAGOS, December 8, 2025 — A coup attempt in the Republic of Benin was decisively thwarted on Sunday after prompt intervention by loyalist forces, supported by air and ground intervention from neighbouring Nigeria, underlining renewed urgency in West Africa’s regional security collaboration.

Mutiny, Seizure of State Television, and Swift Response

In the early hours of December 7, a faction of soldiers identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR) appeared on national television, claiming to have dissolved the government of Patrice Talon and removed him from power. They cited grievances including deteriorating security conditions in northern Benin and alleged neglect of frontline soldiers and their families.

Gunfire erupted in parts of the commercial capital, Cotonou, and the insurgents briefly seized the national broadcaster and a key military facility. The dramatic takeover triggered immediate alarm across the country.

Regional Intervention: Nigeria Acts on a Request from Cotonou

Within hours, the Beninese government issued a formal request for assistance. The government’s Foreign Ministry submitted a note verbale to the neighbouring government of Federal Republic of Nigeria, requesting urgent air support “to safeguard constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.” A second request called for deployment of ground forces to help restore order.

Responding to the request, Nigeria’s president authorised the deployment of fighter jets and ground troops. According to official statements, the jets entered Benin airspace, engaged rebel positions, and provided decisive air support. Nigerian troops later deployed on the ground to assist loyalist loyal forces in retaking control of occupied facilities.

Coup Foiled, Electorate and Institutions Intact

By Sunday evening the government declared the mutiny suppressed. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou announced that the attempted coup had been “foiled,” attributing the success to the swift action of loyal forces and external support.

President Talon addressed the nation on state television, condemning the coup plotters and vowing justice. He described the plot as “treachery” that would not go unpunished, expressed condolences to affected families, and reassured citizens that constitutional order had been restored.

Following the intervention, a regional force under the aegis of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was ordered into action. Troops from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Ghana were mobilised to support the Beninese government and protect institutional stability under the bloc’s conflict prevention mandate.

Stability vs. Underlying Tensions: What the Incident Signals for West Africa

Although the coup attempt was brief and ultimately unsuccessful, the events underscore the fragility of political stability in the region. Benin — often regarded as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies — had not experienced a successful coup in decades.

Analysts note that the speedy resolution, aided by cross-border military cooperation and regional mechanisms, may restore investor and citizen confidence. At the same time, the mutiny raises questions about the underlying grievances within security institutions, including claims of neglect and security-sector morale, which may require urgent institutional reforms.

For Nigeria the intervention signals a renewed assertiveness in regional security affairs. Officials in Abuja described the action as necessary to prevent contagion of instability, particularly given cross-border dynamics and proximity to volatile areas.

Elections On the Horizon: A Critical Test for Constitutional Order

The attempted coup comes months ahead of national elections scheduled for 2026, when President Talon is expected to step down. The swift and coordinated response by Beninese loyalist forces, supported by Nigeria and ECOWAS, sets a precedent for institutional defence in the face of destabilisation attempts. Observers now watch closely whether the coming electoral cycle will proceed smoothly, and whether security reforms will address the causes cited by the mutineers.

(With reporting by AfricaSignal, Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera, Africanews and ECOWAS communiqués)