The political landscape of West Africa was shaken once again when the Republic of Benin faced an unexpected coup attempt in December 2025. A faction of soldiers, led by Lt-Col Pascal Tigri, seized the national television station at dawn and announced the dissolution of democratic institutions, claiming they had ousted President Patrice Talon. The incident triggered immediate alarm across the region, particularly because Benin—long regarded as one of West Africa’s most politically stable democracies—had rarely been associated with military uprisings.

The Beninese government swiftly requested assistance from Nigeria, calling for urgent air support and ground reinforcement to contain the mutiny. Nigerian fighter jets entered Benin’s airspace within hours, conducting surveillance and precision strikes on fleeing coup elements under the authority of the Beninese government. Loyalist forces, backed by regional cooperation, were able to retake state broadcasting facilities and restore control in Cotonou.

By midday, officials announced that constitutional order had been re-established. Several conspirators were arrested, and regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the attempted takeover. Although short-lived, the Benin incident added to a troubling pattern emerging across the continent: rising dissent within militaries and the increasing normalisation of coups and attempted coups.

Other Recent Military Takeovers in Africa

Africa has witnessed a resurgence of unconstitutional military takeovers since 2020, reversing much of the progress made during the early 2000s when democratic institutions appeared to be strengthening across the continent.

Burkina Faso (2022–2023)

Burkina Faso experienced two coups within eight months. The first removed President Roch Kaboré, citing his inability to contain extremist violence. The second ousted the transitional leadership, further destabilising a country already facing deep security challenges.

Mali (2020 and 2021)

Mali’s military staged consecutive coups, initially removing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and later overthrowing the transitional civilian government. The turbulence left the country politically fragmented and pushed it toward prolonged military rule.

Guinea (2021)

Guinea’s 2021 coup removed President Alpha Condé after controversial constitutional reforms that had allowed him to seek a third term. The junta justified the takeover by accusing Condé of political repression and economic mismanagement.

Niger (2023)

In 2023, Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a coup that stunned the West African region. The new military leaders hardened their stance against ECOWAS and later joined Mali and Burkina Faso to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a shift toward military-led integration in the Sahel.

Across these cases, juntas often justify their actions by citing security failures, corruption, and loss of public trust in civilian governments. Yet the outcomes frequently lead to prolonged transitions, international sanctions, strained regional relations, and weakened institutions.

Recent Failed Coup Attempts in Africa

Beyond successful takeovers, the continent has also witnessed several failed or foiled coup attempts—evidence that dissatisfaction within security forces is becoming more pronounced.

Benin Republic (December 2025) — On 7 December 2025, a group of soldiers led by Pascal Tigri seized the state television and declared the overthrow of President Patrice Talon, the suspension of the constitution, and dissolution of state institutions. However, loyal armed forces regained control the same day, arrested multiple mutineers, and restored constitutional order.

The Gambia (December 2022) — On 20 December 2022, some soldiers attempted to overthrow the government of President Adama Barrow. According to official reports, the attempt failed; the insurgents were arrested, and the government retained power.

São Tomé and Príncipe (November 2022) — An overnight coup attempt targeting the government was suppressed. State security forces repelled the attackers, who included both civilians and a small military contingent. The attempted coup did not succeed.

Sierra Leone (November 2023) — In late November 2023, militants (including some dissident military officers) attacked barracks and prisons in the capital. The government crushed the assault, imposed curfews, arrested many suspects, and regained control — the plot was widely described as a failed coup attempt.

The Issues

The rise of coups and attempted coups across Africa points to broader systemic challenges rather than isolated incidents. Several recurring issues stand out:

1. Weak Democratic Institutions

Many African democracies remain vulnerable due to limited institutional resilience. Parliaments, courts, and electoral bodies often lack the autonomy to check executive overreach or prevent political crises from escalating.

2. Security Failures and Extremism

Countries in the Sahel face severe security threats from extremist groups. When governments appear unable to ensure public safety, sections of the military often use this as justification to intervene in governance.

3. Public Discontent and Economic Hardship

High youth unemployment, inflation, and widening inequality fuel frustration. In many cases, military takeovers gain some public sympathy when governments are perceived as corrupt or detached from citizens’ needs.

4. Erosion of Trust Between Citizens and Governments

When elections are disputed or constitutional changes are manipulated to extend presidential terms, public confidence diminishes. This creates fertile ground for coups framed as “rescue missions.”

The failed coup in Benin is not merely an isolated event—it reflects an evolving trend that threatens democratic stability across Africa.

While regional support helped Benin avert a major crisis, the continent continues to grapple with deeper governance issues that require long-term, structural solutions. Strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing security capacity, promoting accountable leadership, and fostering regional cooperation will be essential if Africa hopes to reverse the rising tide of unconstitutional military takeovers.

Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, announced on Sunday that security forces successfully stopped an attempted coup staged by a small group of soldiers who claimed to have removed President Patrice Talon from office.

According to Seidou, “A small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilising the country and its institutions. Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt.”

Earlier, the soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” (CMR) appeared on state television, declaring that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”

However, officials close to President Talon dismissed the claims, assuring the public that he was unharmed. Talon, who has led Benin for a decade and is expected to leave office in April, was confirmed safe.

His office told AFP, “This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure.”

Authorities say full control has since been restored, and normalcy has returned across the nation.

The Benin Republic has been thrown into political tension after soldiers announced they have removed President Patrice Talon from power.

In a broadcast on state television early Sunday morning, the soldiers declared that the government had been dissolved and the constitution suspended. They also announced that President Talon is now in the custody of the military.

Colonel Tigri Pascal Takes Over

The group identified their interim leader as Colonel Tigri Pascal, who will head what they called the “Military Committee for Refoundation.”
According to the announcement, the committee will oversee the running of the country until further notice.

Why the Soldiers Say They Took Over

In their televised address, the coup leaders gave several reasons for removing the president:

• They claim President Talon allowed security in the northern part of the country to collapse, exposing citizens to danger.
• They accuse him of frustrating the economy, saying many businesses and ordinary citizens are suffering due to heavy taxes and strict policies.
• They say he stopped free healthcare, a move they claim has led to many avoidable deaths across the country.

Tension in Cotonou

Following the announcement, soldiers were seen around key government buildings in Cotonou. Residents have been advised to remain calm as the situation develops.
There has been no reaction yet from officials loyal to President Talon.

UPDATE

Right now, the military has imposed a total ban on movement across the country.
Security personnel are stopping people on the roads, instructing them to return home and remain indoors until further notice.

There is also an unconfirmed rumour circulating that Russia may be involved in the unfolding situation.
So far, many citizens appear to be in subtle support of the takeover, according to early reactions from locals.

The situation is still unfolding, and more updates are expected as events continue to develop.

Kenya has entered into a significant five-year health cooperation deal with the United States, marking the first arrangement of its kind since Donald Trump reshaped America’s foreign assistance policies.

The agreement, valued at $2.5bn (£1.9bn), is designed to strengthen Kenya’s fight against infectious diseases, with similar frameworks set to be extended to additional African states aligned with the current US administration’s diplomatic objectives.

The direct bilateral structure is intended to improve oversight and reduce misuse of funds, though critics worry it may grant Washington continuous access to vital health systems and potentially sensitive medical records.

Kenya’s Health Minister Aden Duale addressed those concerns, stating that “only de-identified, aggregated data” would be shared.

On assuming office in January, Trump placed a hold on external aid during a review of public spending, dissolved the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and significantly reduced support for lower-income nations.

The change has sharply decreased the availability of some essential medicines in parts of the developing world.

In September, the administration unveiled an “America First Global Health Strategy”, tying assistance to new negotiations that officials said would reduce inefficiency while advancing US interests.

Under the Kenyan agreement, Washington will provide $1.7bn, while Kenya is expected to invest $850m and eventually assume greater financial responsibility over time.

The programme focuses on preventing and treating HIV/Aids, malaria, and tuberculosis, improving maternal health services, eliminating polio, and strengthening responses to epidemics.

During the signing ceremony with Kenya’s President William Ruto, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the pact as a “landmark agreement,” and called Kenya a “longstanding American ally”.

He commended Kenya’s leadership within the UN-supported mission confronting heavily armed criminal networks in Haiti.

“If we had five or 10 countries willing to step forward and do just half of what Kenya has done already, it would be an extraordinary achievement,” said Rubio.

The Secretary of State said the United States preferred to channel assistance through governments rather than intermediary organisations.

“We are not going to spend billions of dollars funding the NGO industrial complex while close and important partners like Kenya either have no role to play or have very little influence over how health care money is being spent,” he said.

Kenya’s leader said the funds would support national goals, including acquiring up-to-date hospital technology and expanding the country’s medical workforce.

“I assure you that every shilling and every dollar will be spent efficiently, effectively, and accountably,” Ruto added.

Despite this, some Kenyans are calling for full transparency, arguing that the document should be made public to clarify whether the US will have access to personal health information such as HIV status, tuberculosis history, and vaccination records.

“What specific data categories are being shared? Are genomic data, disease patterns, mental health data, insurance claims, hospital records, or biometrics included? If not, why is that not explicitly written?” lawyer Willis Otieno posted on X.

Well-known whistle-blower Nelson Amenya expressed the same reservations, urging the authorities to publish the pact so “we can read it for ourselves”.

Minister Duale dismissed the allegations, insisting Kenya’s medical information remains safeguarded under domestic law.

“Your health data is a national strategic asset,” Duale added.

Officials from the United States have not yet responded publicly to the concerns raised about data privacy.

According to US representatives, several other African governments are expected to sign comparable agreements before the year concludes.