President Patrice Talon of Benin has given his most detailed public account yet of the failed December 7 coup attempt, describing how the government and security forces moved quickly to contain the incident while avoiding large-scale civilian casualties. Speaking at a press conference at the Marina Palace in Cotonou, Talon emphasized that the episode was not a full coup d’état but an isolated attack carried out by a small group of rogue soldiers.
According to the president, the soldiers involved were undergoing training at the Togben camp and acted outside the command structure of the armed forces. He stressed that the wider military, particularly the National Guard, demonstrated loyalty, discipline and professionalism almost immediately. “This is not really a coup d’état,” Talon said, insisting that the chain of command held firm in the critical first moments. He added that the armed forces swiftly reaffirmed their allegiance to the state and mobilized to protect key institutions.
In the early hours of December 7, gunfire was reported around strategic locations in Cotonou, including near the national broadcaster. A small group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming power had been seized and institutions dissolved, triggering panic among residents. Within hours, however, loyalist forces regained control, and the government announced that the situation was under control.
Talon explained that communication from military barracks across the country poured in almost immediately after the attack began. Commanders and units contacted the General Staff and the leadership of the Republican Guard to request instructions and offer support. Detachments from Allada and Ouidah were deployed toward Cotonou, ready to defend the presidential palace and other institutions if needed. For Talon, this rapid, coordinated response underscored what he described as a turning point in Benin’s institutional maturity.
The president said the government faced a difficult choice once the attackers retreated to the Togben barracks with armored vehicles and heavy weapons. While the army had numerical superiority, Talon said an aggressive assault risked causing significant damage in a densely populated area. He noted that the camp is located in the heart of a residential neighborhood, raising fears that indiscriminate fighting could cost innocent lives.
By that stage, Talon said, at least two people had already been killed, including the wife of a senior officer, and several soldiers had been wounded. These losses weighed heavily on the decision-making process. Benin, he reminded reporters, has abolished the death penalty and is committed to arresting and prosecuting offenders rather than killing them. “We are not going to kill people who are in crime,” he said. “We have to arrest them, condemn them, but not kill them.”
To neutralize the threat while limiting casualties, the government opted for a carefully calibrated response that combined negotiations, the positioning of armored units, and targeted military pressure. Talon confirmed that Nigeria provided air support after consultations with Beninese military leaders, noting that Benin lacks certain types of precision aircraft needed to disable armored vehicles without widespread destruction. The objective, he said, was to convince the attackers to surrender and prevent further bloodshed.
Throughout the ordeal, Talon praised the conduct of the National Guard, which he said acted swiftly and professionally to contain the situation. He rejected any attempt to blame the armed forces as an institution, arguing that the actions of a few individuals should not tarnish the reputation of the entire military. “In all communities, there are always marginals,” he said, describing the attackers as isolated elements rather than representatives of broader discontent within the ranks.
In the aftermath of the failed attempt, several soldiers were arrested and investigations are ongoing. Authorities are working with regional partners to track down any suspects who fled the country. Talon also acknowledged the support of neighboring states and international partners, describing the crisis response as a demonstration of regional solidarity against unconstitutional changes of government.
The attempted takeover has drawn renewed attention to political stability in West Africa, a region that has experienced a series of coups and attempted coups in recent years. While analysts have warned of growing insecurity and institutional strain across the region, Talon sought to reassure Beninese citizens that their country remains stable and committed to democratic order.
Looking ahead, the president said additional measures would be implemented to prevent similar incidents, without detailing specific reforms. He insisted, however, that the events of December 7 would not derail Benin’s political trajectory. “People’s intentions must remain only in the heads of marginals,” he said, adding that any future attempts to destabilize the country would fail.
For Talon, the swift collapse of the attack and the loyalty shown by the armed forces ultimately reinforced his confidence in Benin’s institutions. While acknowledging the seriousness of the incident, he framed it as a test that the country passed—one that revealed both the risks Benin faces and the resilience of its state structures.
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