benin army lieutenant hijacks state tv station and declares himself president

The army also said that the constitution of November 2025 was suspended and all institutions were dissolved.

Activities of political parties were also allegedly suspended until further notice,while the land,maritime and air borders of Benin are closed.

Talon,who has been in power since 2016,was due to step down next April.

His whereabouts are currently unknown,but the presidential office later told AFP news agency that Talon was safe and that the army was regaining control.

His office said: ‘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.’

President Patrice Talon,a cotton tycoon,first came to power in 2016 (Picture: Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

Motorists in a crossroad in Cotonou following rumors of a possible coup in the country (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Benin’s foreign minister,Olushegun Adjadi Bakari,also said the situation is under control and that a large part of the army and the national guard remain loyal to President Talon.

Adama Gaye,foreign director of communications at the Economic Community of West African States,told Al Jazeera that the apparent coup attempt ‘does not come as a surprise to anyone.’

He mentioned the country’s political tension,with many opposition members imprisoned.

One source told AFP that 13 arrests had been made,with another saying that all detainees were soldiers in active service,except one who was ex-military.

The French Embassy said on X that ‘gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo’ near the president’s official residence.

‼️ Message à la communauté française au Bénin pic.twitter.com/xPplN7T54d

— La France au Bénin 🇫🇷🇧🇯🇪🇺 (@ambafrancebenin) December 7,2025

It urged French citizens to remain indoors for security.

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