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Benin’s Catholic Bishops “strongly condemn any recourse to violence” after Reported Attempted Military Takeover

Credit: National Television of Benin
Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Cotonou, 08 December, 2025 / 11:46 am (ACI Africa).

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin (CEB) have cautioned against “any recourse of violence” following the reported attempted military takeover that is said to have taken place on Sunday, December 7.

In a statement issued December 7, CEB members say they “followed with deep concern the events that occurred on Sunday marked by an attempted seizure of power by force.”

“We strongly condemn any recourse to violence or actions likely to compromise peace and unity,” the Catholic Bishops say.

December 7 morning, at least eight soldiers, several holding weapons, appeared on state television to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution, and closing air, land and maritime borders,” BBC News reported.

“The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice, and work prevail,” the soldiers said in their statement.

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Later, in an address on national television,  President Patrice Talon said government and armed forces had thwarted a coup attempt by a group of soldiers and vowed to punish them.

“I would like to commend the sense of duty demonstrated by our army and its leaders, who have remained... loyal to the nation,” President Talon said.

In their December 7 statement, CEB members emphasize that “national cohesion is a precious good that must be preserved at all costs through peaceful and lawful means.”

They express their “spiritual and moral closeness to the Head of State and his entourage, to all those affected by these events, as well as to the families who have been tried.”

CEB members also entrust the “victims of this tragedy to the mercy of God. May the God of peace spread His grace and blessing upon our entire Nation. May He keep His people in peace, unity, and fraternal harmony.”

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Benin’s Catholic Bishops “strongly condemn any recourse to violence” after Reported Attempted Military Takeover

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They invite the people of God in Benin to “redouble their zeal in prayer for our country, so that God may continue to preserve it from all evil, from all danger, and from all division.”

“May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Queen of Peace, intercede for us!,” the Catholic Bishops implore in their statement on December 7, the Eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.

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