Until Saturday, December 6, 2025, the name Pascal Tigri meant almost nothing to the Beninese public. A mid-ranking lieutenant colonel, rarely mentioned in discussions about the military, this officer suddenly emerged in the political scene by claiming, on national television, the overthrow of President Patrice Talon. In a matter of minutes, the man who led a unit without strategic command became the focal point of the most serious institutional crisis Benin has experienced in decades.
During his televised appearance, Pascal Tigri presented himself in full uniform, surrounded by armed soldiers, as the “president” of a mysterious Military Committee for Refoundation (CMR). Speaking firmly, he proclaimed the removal of the head of state, the suspension of the Constitution, the dissolution of institutions, and the immediate closure of borders. He justified his actions by the need to “refound the nation” and “restore popular sovereignty”, citing security, economic, and institutional failures. This spectacular image immediately struck a cautious country, accustomed to political stability widely praised internationally.
But behind this show of authority, several areas of shadow remain regarding the officer. Pascal Tigri was not identified as an influential actor in the military, nor as a latent political figure. His name did not circulate in sensitive files, and there was no indication that he harbored coup ambitions. His initiative seems to contradict his background: a discreet military man, without media exposure, nor a known network among the strategic circles of power.
The rapid failure of the attempted coup, later affirmed by the government, reinforces the perception of a fragile, perhaps improvised coup, relying more on a media show of force than on actual takeover of the state apparatus. The lieutenant colonel is now on the run, and his real influence within the army remains uncertain. One central question remains: was Pascal Tigri the face of a deep movement, or simply that of an isolated rebellion?
