Breaking: Attempted Coup in Benin Republic—Military Attacks President Talon’s Residence, Seizes National TV

Reports from Cotonou indicate an attempted coup is underway in the Benin Republic following a military assault on the residence of President Patrice Talon in the Le Guézo neighbourhood early Sunday morning, December 7, 2025. The attack was reportedly carried out by a group of soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri.

The situation dramatically escalated when Tigri subsequently appeared on the national television network, which has been seized and placed under military control. During the broadcast, Tigri declared himself the “chairman of the military re-establishment committee.”

The capital remains tense, with eyewitnesses reporting deployments of troops around key strategic locations. As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement issued by President Talon or his administration regarding the attacks. This development further contributes to the mounting trend of political instability observed across the West African sub-region.