NextFin News - On December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers in Benin, identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR), appeared on state television claiming to have ousted President Patrice Talon from office. The soldiers declared the immediate dissolution of the government and the suspension of all political parties, asserting control over key state institutions and closing all borders by land, sea, and air. Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri was announced as the head of this military committee. This move came suddenly early Sunday morning in the capital, Cotonou, amid reports of gunfire near the presidential residence and armored vehicles patrolling the area.
President Talon, a 67-year-old businessman known as the "cotton king of Cotonou," has ruled since 2016 and was constitutionally due to step down in April 2026 following a decade of economic growth tempered by rising jihadist violence. Despite initial uncertainty, official statements from Talon's administration and the Beninese government spokesperson have indicated that the president remains alive and that the regular army is working to regain control of the situation, dismissing the coup leaders as a "small group controlling only the television". Nevertheless, the military group's seizure of power has plunged the country into political uncertainty.
Benin’s coup follows a spate of successful military takeovers in West Africa since 2020, including in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, and most recently, Guinea-Bissau’s disputed elections and Gabon’s August 2023 coup. These coups often share common threads: contested elections, constitutional changes favoring incumbent presidents, deteriorating security due to jihadist threats, rampant corruption, and growing youth discontent. Notably, Talon had recently amended the constitution to extend his presidential term, an act seen by some as undermining democratic norms.
This latest coup reflects structural weaknesses and governance failures, including Talon’s inability to fully contain jihadist violence spilling in from the Sahel region, and growing dissatisfaction within both the civilian population and the military. The suspension of institutions and political parties indicates a potential lengthy military administration, echoing similar prolonged juntas in neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso.
Economically, Benin’s emerging markets, centered on trade, agriculture, and cotton exports, could face significant disruption. Regional trade flows are likely to suffer, especially with border closures. The uncertainty may deter international investment and aid, impacting developmental projects. The coup also puts at risk ongoing regional security cooperation frameworks, such as those coordinated by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), which have faced increasing challenges enforcing democratic norms after previous interventions and sanctions.
Geopolitically, the coup further fragments West Africa’s political landscape. The military regimes in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have already distanced themselves from ECOWAS and Western allies, forming alternative alliances that emphasize sovereignty and anti-interventionism. Benin’s military takeover risks pushing the country into similar isolation or alignment shifts, complicating U.S. President Trump’s administration’s engagement strategy in Africa, which has prioritized security partnerships and sustainable economic development.
Forward looking, if the military junta solidifies power, Benin may experience prolonged transitional instability, where international recognition, internal security, and economic recovery pose major challenges. The example of Benin’s coup adds to a worrying trajectory of institutional erosion in West Africa, signaling the fragility of democratic systems facing compounded socio-economic pressures and security threats. Unless diplomatic and economic instruments are effectively recalibrated, the region may endure further militarization and democratic backsliding.
In conclusion, the military’s removal of U.S. President Patrice Talon marks a critical juncture for Benin and West Africa. It underscores urgent governance and security failures that require robust domestic reforms and coordinated international support. The trend of military coups rooted in constitutional manipulation, insecurity, and political exclusion demands renewed attention to institutional strengthening and inclusive governance frameworks to stabilize this strategically important region.
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