Reports from Cotonou indicate that a coup attempt is currently underway following an early morning assault on the home of President Patrice Talon in the Le Guézo district on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
According to the Beninese news outlet TchadOne, the operation was executed by a group of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri. Following the attack, Tigri appeared on national television which is reportedly under the control of the military to announce his leadership.2
During the broadcast, he proclaimed himself:
“chairman of the military re-establishment committee.”
Current Situation on the Ground
The atmosphere in Cotonou remains tense, with eyewitnesses describing a significant military presence near key government buildings and major intersections.
As of this report, there has been no official communication from President Talon or his administration regarding the attack or the status of the government. This attempted power grab has heightened anxieties about political instability in West Africa, a region already grappling with a history of recent military takeovers.
TchadOne has indicated that they will provide further updates as the situation unfolds.