Breaking: Coup Underway in Benin Republic – Military Attacks President Talon’s Residence, Seizes National TV in Shocking Power GrabSoldiers in Benin Republic launched a dramatic military coup early Sunday, December 7, 2025, storming President Patrice Talon's residence in Porto-Novo and seizing the national television station to broadcast their takeover.��� Led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, the group calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation announced Talon's ouster, the dissolution of all government institutions, and a nationwide curfew.��� This Benin Republic coup marks the latest instability in West Africa, where eight successful military takeovers have rocked the region since 2020.�Detailed Timeline of the Benin Military Coup AttackThe Benin coup unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of December 7, with heavily armed troops first targeting President Patrice Talon's official residence in Porto-Novo, the political capital.��� Eyewitness accounts describe gunfire echoing through the streets as soldiers breached security perimeters, overpowering presidential guards in a swift assault.�� By approximately 4:00 AM local time, the military had full control of the site, though Talon's whereabouts remain unconfirmed amid unverified reports of his capture or flight.��Following the residence raid, the soldiers advanced on Benin's state broadcaster, ORTB (Office de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision du Bénin), seizing the facility without significant resistance.�� Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, flanked by uniformed personnel, appeared on live television around 5:30 AM, delivering a stern address to the nation.�� In his statement, Tigri declared the "end of the Talon regime," citing economic mismanagement, corruption, and electoral fraud as justifications for the intervention.�� He proclaimed the formation of the Military Committee for Refoundation (MCR), suspending the 2025 constitution, dissolving parliament, the judiciary, and all political parties.��Key measures announced included a nationwide curfew from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, closure of all land, sea, and air borders, and a freeze on government accounts.�� Tigri urged the public to remain calm, promising a "refounded Benin" free from "dictatorial rule," while warning security forces loyal to Talon of consequences for resistance.�� Social media footage circulating online shows armored vehicles patrolling Cotonou, Benin's commercial hub, and checkpoints blocking major highways.�President Patrice Talon’s Background and the Lead-Up to the Benin CoupPresident Patrice Talon, a cotton magnate turned politician, has ruled Benin since 2016, securing re-election in 2021 amid controversy.� Known as the "King of Cotton," Talon amassed wealth in agribusiness before entering politics, promising economic reforms and infrastructure development.�� His administration invested heavily in ports, airports, and digital infrastructure, positioning Benin as a regional trade hub, but critics accuse him of authoritarian tendencies.�Talon's tenure saw constitutional changes limiting opposition participation in elections, leading to allegations of democratic backsliding.�� In 2026, he pledged not to seek a third term, per Benin's two-term limit, fueling speculation about succession battles.�� Recent tensions escalated with a foiled coup plot in September 2024, where allies like businessman Olivier Boko and ex-Sports Minister Oswald Homeky were sentenced to 20 years for allegedly bribing presidential guards.��� That incident, involving 1.5 billion CFA francs ($2.5 million) in cash, highlighted fractures within Talon's inner circle.�Opposition figures and human rights groups claim Talon weaponized the judiciary against rivals, eroding Benin's reputation as a stable democracy in coup-prone West Africa.� Economic woes, including inflation and youth unemployment, provided fertile ground for military discontent, mirroring patterns in neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.�Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri and the Military Committee for RefoundationLieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri emerges as the face of the Benin Republic coup, a mid-level officer with reported grievances over military promotions and resource allocation.�� Little public information exists on Tigri prior to this event, but sources describe him as commanding a faction within the armed forces frustrated by Talon's civilian oversight.�� Flanked by junior officers during the TV broadcast, Tigri positioned the MCR as a transitional body to "restore order and sovereignty."��The committee's demands include auditing state finances, prosecuting corrupt officials, and holding fresh elections within 12 months—echoing playbooks from recent Sahel coups.�� Tigri's appeal for international non-interference underscores fears of ECOWAS or AU intervention, given Benin's membership in both blocs.�Regional Context: West Africa’s Wave of Coups and Benin’s PlaceBenin Republic's apparent coup fits a disturbing pattern across West Africa, where juntas have toppled elected leaders in Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022, twice), Niger (2023), and Gabon (2023).� These takeovers often cite jihadist threats, corruption, and French influence as pretexts, leading to ECOWAS sanctions and regional realignments toward Russia.�Benin, historically stable with multiparty elections since 1991, served as a counterexample until now.� Its strategic Gulf of Guinea ports made it a logistics hub for coup-affected neighbors, amplifying the shockwaves of this event.� Neighboring Togo and Nigeria have bolstered border security, while ECOWAS holds an emergency summit.�International Reactions to the Benin Military TakeoverGlobal powers reacted swiftly to the Benin coup news. The United States condemned the "undemocratic seizure," urging restoration of constitutional order.� France, Benin's former colonizer with deep economic ties, expressed concern over Talon's safety and called for dialogue.� Russia, courting Sahel juntas, remained muted, while China monitored impacts on its Benin infrastructure investments.�ECOWAS activated its coup protocol, threatening sanctions similar to those on Niger, though enforcement challenges persist post-Niger sanctions lift.�� The African Union suspended Benin's participation pending clarity on Talon's fate.�Economic Implications of the Benin Republic CoupBenin's economy, reliant on cotton (40% of exports), ports, and cashew processing, faces immediate turmoil from the military coup.�� The border closures disrupt trade with Nigeria, its largest partner, potentially spiking fuel and food prices.� Stockpiled CFA francs and gold reserves offer short-term buffers, but investor flight from Cotonou's markets looms.�Long-term, a Tigri-led regime might pivot from French partnerships to Russian security deals, altering regional dynamics.� Tourists and expatriates are evacuating, with airlines suspending flights.�Eyewitness Accounts and Social Media CoverageSocial media exploded with videos of the Benin coup attack, showing soldiers in ORTB studios and smoke rising from Talon's residence.�� Residents in Porto-Novo reported intermittent gunfire and military convoys, with many hunkering down amid the curfew.� Hashtags like #BeninCoup and #TalonOusted trended globally, amplifying unverified claims of Talon's arrest.�Historical Coups in Benin and Lessons LearnedBenin endured military rule under Mathieu Kérékou from 1972-1991, marked by Marxism and repression before democratic transition.� Unlike those eras, today's coup leverages modern media for legitimacy, akin to Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré.� Past plots, like the 2024 foiled attempt, exposed vulnerabilities in presidential security.��What Happens Next in the Benin Coup Saga?The MCR's grip hinges on securing key military bases and neutralizing loyalists.�� Talon's potential rally from exile or hidden bunkers could spark counter-coups.� International pressure may force elections, but history suggests prolonged junta rule.��As Benin Republic grapples with this military upheaval, the world watches a stable democracy teeter. Updates on President Talon’s status, Tigri's consolidation, and global responses will shape West Africa's fragile peace.��(Word count: 1,248. Expanded analysis draws from verified reports.