Benin: Patrice Talon’s first reaction after the failed coup attempt
In a statement made at the Presidency of Benin, President Patrice Talon reacted to the foiled attempted coup d’état this Sunday, December 7, 2025.
“A small group of soldiers, under the pretext of false grievances, launched a mutiny with the aim of attacking the institutions of the Republic and destabilizing our nation, thereby calling the democratic order into question,” Patrice Talon said.
He said such an undertaking would have plunged our country into a dead-end venture with disastrous consequences. He acknowledges that this alleged coup d’état “would have brought to a halt the development process started by our country thanks to the efforts undertaken by all its daughters and sons”.
“In such circumstances, my republican duty requires me, as President of the Republic, supreme commander of the armed forces and guarantor of the country’s stability, to take the appropriate measures to thwart the actions of adventurers eager to return us to a past of painful memories.”
Patrice Talon reassures that he is coordinating with the command of the defense and security forces, which intervened to take the necessary actions to maintain peace, in order to guarantee the safety and calm of everyone across the entire national territory.
“I would like to salute here the sense of duty of our army and its leaders, who remained republican and loyal to the homeland. With them, we stood together, retook positions, even clearing the last pockets of resistance of the mutineers. This commitment and mobilization allowed us to thwart these adventurers and prevent the worst for our country. This treachery will not go unpunished.”
President Patrice Talon took the opportunity to congratulate the defense and security forces as a whole for their sense of duty.
“I would also like, on this occasion, to think of the victims of this unusual episode, as well as of the people still being held by the fleeing mutineers. I give them the assurance that we will stand together to find them safe and sound. I would also like to especially thank you, those inside the country as well as abroad, for your active support and your many messages of encouragement during this day. They reassured us and gave us the energy needed to stand firm in the name of Benin, which, we can say, truly has a soul”
According to his statement, the situation is under control. “I want to reassure you that the situation is completely under control and therefore invite you to go about your activities calmly as of tonight. Security and public order will be maintained everywhere on the national territory in order to guarantee everyone’s freedom of movement”, the head of state reassured.
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