Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Benin Coup Attempt Thwarted, President Vows Retribution
On Sunday, some soldiers in Benin tried to take over the government.
They appeared on TV and said they were in charge now, and they stopped the country's rules from working.
They also closed the borders and the airspace.
There was gunfire near the president's home, and other countries told their people to stay safe.
But later, the government said the soldiers failed, and everything was back to normal.
The president said the soldiers who tried to take over would be punished.
This isn't the first time this has happened in Africa.
In the past few years, soldiers have taken control in many other African countries too.
Benin is getting ready for a big vote next year, and some people think the soldiers tried to take over because they were worried about safety in the north.
Soldiers in Benin attempted a coup, declaring the suspension of the constitution and dissolving state institutions.
Gunfire was reported near the presidential residence in Cotonou, with embassies warning citizens to stay indoors.
The coup attempt was foiled by Benin's armed forces, who reaffirmed their commitment to the republic.
Benin joins a growing list of African countries experiencing military takeovers since 2020, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea-Bissau.
The soldiers appointed Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as president of the military committee during the coup attempt.
- Who
- Soldiers from the Military Committee for Refoundation and Benin's armed forces
- What
- A coup attempt in Benin, with soldiers seizing power and declaring the suspension of the constitution
- When
- Sunday, November 26, 2023
- Where
- Cotonou, Benin
- Why
- The soldiers cited the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin and the disregard for fallen soldiers, although the specific reasons for the coup attempt are not detailed in the articles.
- Location
- Cotonou, Benin
- Date
- Sunday, November 26, 2023
- Key Figures
- President Patrice Talon, Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri
- Outcome
- Coup attempt foiled by Benin's armed forces
- Recent African Coups
- Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Chad, Guinea
- Arrests
- 14 people arrested in connection with the coup attempt
- Elections
- Presidential election scheduled for April 2024
Sources
Benin Coup Attempt: France Denies Involvement; Explosions Reported In Cotonou | Latest Update
Amid Benin's Coup, A Look At Other Military Takeovers In Africa
Benin’s President Talon says situation under control after coup attempt
Benin president says coup bid thwarted, situation under control
Benin president says coup bid thwarted, vows retribution
Benin Coup: US Embassy Issues Advisory Amid Reports Of Gunfire, Explosions, And Restricted Airport Disruption
10 coups in 5 years: The troubled past and present of Africa