A Benin Republic court has ordered the pre-trial detention of around 30 individuals, mostly soldiers, following the failed coup attempt of December 7, 2025, when mutineers briefly seized state television in Cotonou before being repelled by loyalist forces.

The suspects appeared before the Court for the Repression of Economic Crimes and Terrorism (CRIET) on December 15 and were formally detained the following day on charges including treason, murder, and endangering state security, according to legal sources cited by AFP and local media.

Details of the Coup Attempt

• The mutiny began early December 7, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who stormed the state broadcaster and announced the dissolution of government and removal of President Patrice Talon.
• Loyalist forces, backed by Nigerian airstrikes, French intelligence and logistics, and ECOWAS standby troops, swiftly regained control.
• Tigri remains at large, reportedly in Togo, with Benin seeking extradition alongside other fugitives.

Initial arrests numbered about 14, but investigations expanded the net to include more suspects. The mutineers cited grievances such as insecurity in the north due to jihadist spillover, neglect of soldiers and their families, healthcare cuts, and political clampdowns.

Political and Regional Context

President Talon, in a national address after the crisis, praised loyal forces and vowed punishment for “treachery.” The incident is rare for democratic Benin but comes amid a wave of coups across West and Central Africa. Talon is due to step down after April 2026 elections, adding political sensitivity to the unrest.

The African Union, ECOWAS, and United Nations condemned the coup attempt. ECOWAS has since deployed preventive troops to reinforce stability. Analysts warn the episode highlights Benin’s vulnerability to regional instability, particularly jihadist incursions from the Sahel.

Judicial Process

The CRIET’s decision to detain suspects pre-trial underscores Benin’s determination to pursue accountability through legal channels rather than military tribunals. Trials are expected to test the judiciary’s capacity to handle politically charged cases while maintaining credibility at home and abroad.