France, Regional Allies Aid Benin in Foiling Coup Attempt

Coup Attempt Foiled in Benin with International Support

A coup attempt by a group of mutinying soldiers in Benin on Sunday, December 7, 2025, was successfully thwarted, thanks in part to significant intelligence and logistical support from France and military intervention from regional allies. Benin's President Patrice Talon confirmed that the situation was 'totally under control' after security forces acted swiftly to neutralize the threat.

French and Regional Assistance Critical

France provided crucial assistance to Benin at the request of Beninese authorities. An aide to President Emmanuel Macron stated that France offered 'surveillance, observation, and logistical support' to the Beninese armed forces. President Macron also engaged in coordination efforts, speaking with President Talon and other key regional leaders over the weekend.

Beyond French support, Nigeria played a pivotal role, deploying fighter jets and ground troops to Benin and conducting airstrikes in the capital, Cotonou, at President Talon's request. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned the coup bid and ordered the immediate deployment of its standby force, with troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone dispatched to support the Beninese government and preserve constitutional order.

Details of the Mutiny

The attempted takeover began when a group of soldiers, identifying themselves as the 'Military Committee for Refoundation,' appeared on state television to announce the dissolution of the government and the removal of President Talon. They named Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as the head of their committee. Gunfire was reported near the president's residence in Cotonou, and the state broadcaster was briefly seized by the mutineers. However, loyalist forces quickly regained control, and President Talon vowed to punish those responsible for the 'treachery.'

Context and Regional Instability

The coup plotters cited the 'continuous deterioration of the security situation in northern Benin' as a justification for their actions. Northern Benin has indeed been grappling with a rise in jihadist attacks. This incident marks the latest in a series of military takeovers that have destabilized the West African region in recent years, affecting countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea. While France has been recalibrating its approach in its former West African colonies, moving away from direct intervention, it continues to provide support to local governments in maintaining stability.