Atiku Condemns Benin Coup Attempt, Warns Against Military Threat to Democracy

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly spoken out against the attempted military takeover in the Benin Republic, calling it a serious threat to democracy in Africa.

In a statement he personally signed, Atiku said firm steps must be taken to stop the growing interest of soldiers in taking over governments. He made this known while reacting to reports that military officers in Benin had tried to seize control of the federal government.

On Sunday morning, December 7, 2025, a group of soldiers announced on national TV that they had removed the president, all political leaders, and state institutions. The group called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation.

Atiku said the rise in coups across Africa is worrying and must be stopped before it spreads further.

“I condemn, without reservation and in the strongest possible terms, the coup d’état in the Benin Republic. This reckless trend of assault on constitutional order is utterly unacceptable, not only because of its dangerous proximity, but because the era of military interference in governance is long over in Africa and our sub-region. It is concerning that these coups are happening around election times in the affected countries.

“The Benin presidential election is scheduled for April 2026 while the purported military take over in Guinea-Bissau happened on the eve of the expected announcement of the results of that country’s poll. It raises fears that some political operators may be using the military to cancel the democratic processes. This trend is dangerous for the health of democracy in the West African sub-region and must be stopped before it becomes the rule and not the exception.

“Soldiers have no business anywhere outside their barracks, and every decisive measure must be taken to crush any emerging appetite for subverting democracy,” Atiku wrote.

Meanwhile, the presidency in Benin has said the attempted coup is falling apart. President Patrice Talon is safe, and the regular army is said to be taking back control of the situation.