Overview
- A small group of soldiers appeared on state TV early Sunday, declared President Patrice Talon removed, and invoked a self-styled Military Committee for Refoundation led by Pascal Tigri.
- Government and military sources said roughly a dozen suspects were detained, with reports specifying 12 active soldiers and one former serviceman.
- Shots were reported near the presidential residence in Cotonou, prompting the French and US embassies to issue safety advisories to avoid the area.
- Talon later addressed the nation to say the situation was fully under control, as loyal units blocked access to key sites and authorities characterized the incident as a contained mutiny.
- Nigeria said it provided military support, ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the attempt, and ECOWAS announced assistance including personnel from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone; presidential elections are scheduled for April 2026 with Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni as the ruling party’s nominee.