Benin has been thrown into uncertainty today Sunday, December 7th, 2025,  after a group of soldiers appeared on state television declaring that they had dissolved the government and removed President Patrice Talon from office.

The announcement, delivered by uniformed officers, marked what appears to be the latest military takeover in a region increasingly unsettled by coups.

The soldiers introduced themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation, stating that they had assumed control of all state institutions.

They further declared that Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri had been appointed as the head of the committee and would now serve as the country’s transitional authority.

In their televised statement, the soldiers said the shift in leadership was aimed at “restoring national integrity,” though they provided no additional details on the president’s whereabouts or the current status of the civilian government.

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Historical Context of Political Upheaval

Benin, which gained independence from France in 1960, experienced a turbulent political past marked by repeated coups, particularly in the decades immediately after independence.

Stability gradually returned in 1991 following the end of the long rule of Mathieu Kérékou, whose Soviet- style rule administration had transformed the country into the People’s Republic of Benin before multiparty democracy was reinstated.

President Talon has governed the nation since 2016 and was set to complete his term next April.

His departure was expected to follow the upcoming presidential election, which was widely seen as favoring his party’s candidate.

Election Tensions Ahead of the Coup

The political atmosphere had already been charged ahead of the 2026 election.

Former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, endorsed by Talon’s party, was considered the leading contender.

Meanwhile, opposition hopeful Renaud Agbodjo was barred from the race by the electoral commission after failing to secure the required number of sponsors, sparking criticism from civil society groups.

Adding to the tension, lawmakers last month passed an amendment extending the presidential term length from five to seven years, though the two-term limit remained intact.

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Part of a Wider Regional Trend

Benin now joins a growing list of West African countries facing abrupt changes in leadership.

Just last week, Guinea-Bissau was rocked by a military takeover that removed former President Umaro Embaló following a disputed election in which both leading candidates claimed victory.

Government officials from Benin are yet to make a statement from the coup.

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