The African Union Commission has sharply condemned the attempted military coup in Benin on Sunday, warning that any interference by armed forces in political processes constitutes a serious violation of the AU’s foundational principles.
In a statement released on Sunday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yousouf said the continental body strongly and unequivocally rejects the coup attempt, noting that it undermines constitutional order, democratic stability and the will of the Beninese people.
“The Chairperson stresses that any form of military interference in political processes constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental principles and values of the African Union,” the statement said.
Yousouf reaffirmed the AU’s established frameworks against Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs), citing key instruments including the AU Constitutive Act, the Lomé Declaration, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the Ezulwini Framework.
He said these documents collectively reinforce the AU’s position that military involvement in governance is unacceptable.
The Chairperson called on all actors involved in the coup attempt to immediately halt any unlawful actions and return to constitutional order.
He urged members of the military implicated in the incident to return without delay to their legitimate barracks and professional obligations and encouraged national stakeholders to safeguard unity, dialogue and national peace.
Yousouf also expressed concern over what he described as a troubling rise in coups and attempted coups across parts of the continent. He warned that such actions threaten regional stability, erode democratic gains and weaken public trust in state institutions.
“These trends undermine collective security and embolden military actors to act outside constitutional mandates,” he said.
Reiterating the AU’s zero tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government, the Commission stressed that the organisation remains unwavering in its defence of democratic governance, rule of law and the sovereign will of African citizens.
Yousouf further affirmed the AU’s support for President Patrice Talon and the legitimate authorities of Benin.
He praised the people of Benin for their continued commitment to democratic norms and institutional stability.
“The African Union stands ready, in coordination with regional and international partners, to accompany the Government and People of Benin toward the full restoration of constitutional normalcy and the strengthening of democratic institutions,” the statement concluded.
A group of soldiers had appeared on Benin's state TV Sunday to announce the dissolution of the government in an apparent coup, the latest of many in West Africa.
The group, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, announced the removal of the president and all state institutions. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri had been appointed president of the military committee, the soldiers said.
Later on the interior minister said in a video on Facebook that the coup attempt had been foiled.
"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."
