Attempted coup in Benin has been 'foiled,' country's interior minister says

Attempted coup in Benin has been ‘foiled,’ country’s interior minister says World Dec 7, 2025 11:54 AM EST

COTONOU, Benin (AP) — A coup that was announced in Benin has been “foiled,” the interior minister said Sunday in a video on Facebook, but there was no word from the president and sporadic gunshots were heard in parts of the administrative capital, Cotonou.

“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,” Alassane Seidou said. “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership, true to their oath, remained committed to the republic.”

Local media reported the arrest of 13 soldiers who took part in the coup earlier on Sunday, citing sources close to the pr