French Special Forces Assisted Benin in Quelling Weekend Coup Attempt, Military Says

French special forces provided assistance to Beninese troops who suppressed a weekend coup attempt, the commander of Benin's Republican Guard told AFP on Wednesday.

Dieudonne Djimon Tevoedjre described Beninese soldiers as "truly valiant" for confronting a group of mutinous troops who declared on state television early on Sunday that they had ousted President Patrice Talon. According to Tevoedjre, roughly 100 mutineers—some equipped with armoured vehicles—took part in the operation.

"French special forces were sent from Abidjan and were used for mopping-up operations once the Beninese army had done the main job," he said in a telephone interview. The French presidency confirmed Paris provided support as part of a regional effort, and an aide to President Emmanuel Macron characterized the French role as "surveillance, observation and logistical support" at the request of Beninese authorities, without explicitly confirming or denying troop presence on the ground.

Tevoedjre, who personally led the response to an attack on the presidential residence, said the mutineers counted on surprise and "considerable resources" but failed to win broader backing within the armed forces. Other units reportedly mobilised spontaneously and helped retake neighbourhoods and strategic points across Cotonou.

Air strikes were launched later in the day after rebel soldiers entrenched themselves in a camp inside a residential area of the economic capital. Tevoedjre said French special troops were involved in operations intended to limit collateral damage. He did not provide a detailed casualty count but said the mutineers were left "with bodies and wounded" following "fierce fighting."

At least a dozen soldiers have been detained and the alleged ringleader is reported to have fled to neighbouring Togo. President Talon, who is due to leave office next April after two terms, appeared on state television on Sunday evening and said the situation was "completely under control."

During his decade in power, Talon presided over solid economic growth in Benin but also faced escalating jihadist violence in the north and growing concerns about authoritarian measures. On Wednesday, several hundred of his supporters gathered in Cotonou to denounce the coup attempt and voice their backing for the president.

Regional context: The attempted putsch follows a string of military takeovers in West Africa — notably in Niger and Burkina Faso — developments that have sharply reduced French influence and presence across some former colonies. Nigeria reportedly took part in the response with air strikes as part of a regional effort to help restore order in Benin.

Next steps: Benin's political transition remains under close watch. Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni is the government-endorsed frontrunner to succeed Talon in next year’s election, which has been marked by the exclusion of the main opposition party.