In December 2025, a dramatic episode unfolded in Benin, a country in West Africa. A group of soldiers suddenly appeared on national television and announced that they had taken over the government. They called themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation and claimed to have removed President Patrice Talon from power. The Times of India
This moment was brief. Within hours, loyal government forces regained control and rejected the coup. Regional support from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast helped restore order. euronews France also quietly provided surveillance, observation, and logistical assistance to help the Beninese government stop the mutiny. Le Monde.fr+1
To many observers, this event appeared sudden and coordinated. But when we look deeper, it reveals a pattern repeating across West Africa — where military involvement in politics becomes more common and foreign powers step in under the banner of “stability” or “security.” For HUFUD, this incident is not just a headline — it is a clear example of why universal demilitarisation is urgently needed.
What Really Happened in Benin?
On December 7, 2025, a small group of soldiers entered state media and declared they had taken control of the country. They said they were dissolving the government and suspending the constitution. The Times of India
However, the government quickly denied this claim. The Beninese Armed Forces said the mutiny was foiled, and loyal troops regained control. The president spoke publicly and condemned the attempt, calling it a senseless act that aimed to destabilise the nation. AP News
ECOWAS, the regional West African bloc, condemned the coup attempt and organized support from several neighbouring countries to back Benin’s constitutional government. euronews
France, a former colonial power in the region, quietly provided intelligence and logistical support, working with local forces and other partners. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke directly with Benin’s leaders during the crisis. Le Monde.fr
Why This Episode Matters
At first glance, it might seem like just another political crisis. But this incident reflects deeper issues:
- Militarism in politics: When soldiers seize power or threaten to do so, it shows how normal military force has become in political life.
- Foreign military influence: Even when foreign powers claim to help, their involvement often serves their own strategic interests — and keeps military power at the centre of politics.
- Repeated instability: Benin is not alone. Other countries in the region, like Niger and Burkina Faso, have faced coups in recent years. Wikipedia
For organisations like HUFUD, this is not just an event to report. It is evidence that militarised systems fuel cycles of conflict and political manipulation.
HUFUD’s Message: Peace Cannot Be Built Through Militarism
HUFUD — Humanity United for Universal Demilitarisation — campaigns for a world without armed forces and war industries. The organisation believes that peace cannot be achieved by relying on the military to solve political problems, and it cannot be built by foreign powers intervening in the name of stability.
Here’s what HUFUD stands for:
- Abolition of armed forces: Armies trained for war should not be the default tools for handling political or social problems.
- End of the war industry: Weapons factories and war economies fuel conflicts and divisions — transforming them into peace-oriented industries would benefit humanity.
- A peace economy: Instead of diverting resources to war and military spending, societies should invest in education, healthcare, sustainable development, and human wellbeing.
The Benin episode shows that even when a coup fails, the presence and influence of the military remain strong. Foreign involvement — whether open or hidden — keeps militarism alive. HUFUD believes that only demilitarisation can break this cycle.
What We Must Learn
War and militarism are not isolated issues. They affect politics, economics, social life, and the future of humanity. When governments call in military power to solve political problems, the underlying structures of conflict remain untouched.
The events in Benin remind us that peace cannot be left to armies or foreign political agendas. True peace comes from ending the systems that depend on war and conflict in the first place.
HUFUD calls on people everywhere to challenge this reality — not with weapons, but with courage, vision, and collective action for a demilitarised world.
