On Sunday, December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers in Benin interrupted the country's national television broadcast to announce they had seized power from the government.
Footage aired on state-run TV showed uniformed troops standing before the camera, declaring the end of the current administration and calling for "unity and calm" as they established control. The motives behind the move remain unclear, and there was no immediate response from presidential offices in Cotonou.
Benin, often hailed as one of West Africa's most stable democracies, has celebrated peaceful transitions of power since the 1991 adoption of its constitution. This sudden takeover marks a sharp departure from decades of civilian rule and has sent shockwaves through regional capitals.
Residents in the economic capital, Cotonou, reported roadblocks around key government buildings and a heavy military presence in central neighborhoods. Some businesses closed early, and many people expressed anxiety about what comes next.
While international observers and regional bodies have yet to issue formal statements, analysts warn that this crisis could have ripple effects across West Africa. Calls for dialogue and a swift return to constitutional order are expected in the coming hours.
As night falls over Benin, citizens and global watchers alike are on edge, waiting to see whether the country's institutions will hold firm or if a new era of military rule has begun.
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Soldiers on Benin's national television claim to have seized power
cgtn.com
