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Military Coup in Benin Republic: Soldiers Declare Takeover on National TV

Published by admin on December 7th, 2025.

Military Coup in Benin Republic: Soldiers Declare Takeover on National TV

Benin Republic has experienced a sudden change of power after a group of soldiers appeared on the country’s national television to announce that they had taken control of the government. The group, which identified itself as the *Military Committee for Refoundation*, declared that all state institutions, including the presidency, had been dissolved.

The announcement, broadcast live on Sunday, stated that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office. Talon, who has led the country since 2016, was expected to leave office next April following the presidential election. His party’s candidate, former Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, had been widely projected as the frontrunner. Meanwhile, the candidacy of opposition aspirant Renaud Agbodjo was recently disqualified by the electoral body for failing to secure the required number of sponsors.

The political atmosphere in Benin had already been tense after lawmakers voted last month to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, although the two-term limit remained unchanged.

According to reports, the soldiers—led by Lieutenant Pascal Tigri—announced that they had assumed full control of the country, marking yet another military takeover in the West African region.