"Benin Foils Coup Attempt in Dramatic Overnight Turnaround"

Benin's Interior Minister Says Coup Attempt Foiled, Situation Under Control In a dramatic turn of events, Benin's interior minister, Alassane Seidou, announced on Sunday that a coup attempt announced earlier in the day had been foiled. According to Seidou, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny in the early morning of December 7, 2025, with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions. The attempted coup was reportedly led by a small group of soldiers, but the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership remained committed to their oath, according to Seidou. In a video posted on Facebook, Seidou stated, "In the early morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilizing the state and its institutions. Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic and the constitution." The attempted coup comes as a surprise to many, as Benin has been considered a stable democracy in the region. President Patrice Talon has been in power since 2016 and has been credited with implementing several economic reforms. However, the country has faced several challenges in recent years, including a decline in economic growth and rising poverty rates. According to sources, the attempted coup was likely sparked by a combination of economic and political factors. "The situation in Benin has been tense for some time, with rising poverty rates and economic instability," said a regional expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's not surprising that some individuals would attempt to take advantage of this situation to further their own interests." The current situation in Benin remains under control, with the government and security forces working to restore order and stability. According to Seidou, the situation is "under control" and the government is "committed to maintaining peace and stability in the country." The government has also announced that it will take steps to address the underlying causes of the attempted coup, including economic and social reforms. As the situation in Benin continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring the situation. The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have both issued statements condemning the attempted coup and calling for calm. The United States and other Western countries have also issued statements expressing concern and support for the government and people of Benin. In a statement, the U.S. Department of State said, "We are closely following the situation in Benin and are in contact with the government and other regional leaders. We condemn any attempts to undermine the democratic process and stability in the region." As the situation in Benin continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the government will address the underlying causes of the attempted coup and restore stability to the country. For now, the people of Benin can breathe a sigh of relief that the situation has been brought under control, and the government is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the country.