BENIN – An attempted coup in Benin on Sunday was thwarted after a small group of soldiers claimed to have ousted the government on national television.

The Beninese Interior Minister Alassane Seidou said that the Armed Forces and their leadership, “faithful to their oath,” remained loyal.

“Their response made it possible to keep control of the situation and to thwart the maneuver,” Seidou added.

Earlier, Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni told the news outlet Jeune Afrique that the situation was “under control.”

“We are clearing things out, but it is not over. We are safe,” Wadagni said, while the coup plotters held out in their positions.

A group of Beninese soldiers told the state broadcaster on Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power and appointed Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri to lead a newly formed “Military Committee for Refoundation.”

The soldiers announced the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of all institutions and political parties, saying they would close Benin’s borders.

The US Embassy said in a statement that it was monitoring reports of gunfire in the city of Cotonou and “unconfirmed reports” of a military coup.

It urged people to avoid Cotonou and areas near the presidential compound, monitor local media, and steer clear of crowds and demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Russia‘s Embassy, in a Telegram statement, recommended its citizens in the country to “remain at home and observe basic precautions” until the situation in Cotonou becomes clearer.

The French Embassy in Benin also said in a statement that gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo, near the presidential residence.

The embassy urged its citizens to remain at home until further notice as a security measure, “while the situation is fully clarified.”

Talon, a former businessman, has served as the president of the West African nation since 2016 and was re-elected to a second term in 2021.

ECOWAS & African Union Express Support

The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the coup attempt in Benin on Sunday, expressing support for the government in upholding constitutional order.

AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged coup plotters to immediately halt “all unlawful actions,” respect Benin’s Constitution, and promptly return to their barracks and professional duties, according to a statement.

Youssouf voiced “deep concern” over the rising number of military coups and attempted coups in the region, lamenting that such actions undermine continental stability, threaten democratic gains, and encourage military actors to act beyond constitutional authority.

He reaffirmed the AU’s “zero tolerance stance toward any unconstitutional change of government, regardless of context or justification.”

ECOWAS also the coup attempt, pledging support to the government. In a statement, the bloc vowed to support the West African nation to defend its Constitution and territorial integrity “in all forms necessary.”

The ECOWAS said it holds the coup plotters “both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action.”