The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the immediate deployment of its standby force to the Republic of Benin following an attempted military coup aimed at overthrowing President Patrice Talon on Sunday.
In a statement released Sunday evening, the ECOWAS Commission warned that it would take all necessary measures to prevent a breakdown of law and order and to protect constitutional governance in Benin. The organisation described the unfolding events as part of the troubling trend of military takeovers spreading across West Africa.
ECOWAS Condemns ‘Unconstitutional Move’
Earlier in the day, ECOWAS condemned the attempted overthrow, describing it as “an unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
The regional body pledged unwavering support to Benin’s democratically elected government and affirmed its readiness to provide military reinforcement if needed. ECOWAS vowed to stand firmly with the Beninese people in defending the country’s Constitution and its territorial integrity.
Following emergency consultations among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the Heads of State and Government level, ECOWAS announced that it had activated Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security.
“The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect.”
The multinational force will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. Their mission is to support Benin’s government and the Republican Army in preserving constitutional order and safeguarding national stability.
The crisis began early Sunday when a faction of soldiers stormed state television, declaring that President Talon had been removed from office and that all state institutions had been dissolved.
Reports indicate that the attempted coup started with an armed assault on the president’s official residence in Porto-Novo during the early hours of the morning. The mutineers, reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, claimed they had seized control of government structures.
However, loyalist security forces swiftly regrouped, countering the insurrection and regaining control of key state facilities. Their rapid response thwarted the coup attempt and prevented further disruption, restoring order across the capital and other affected areas.
Benin, historically one of the more stable democracies in the region, now joins the growing list of West African countries experiencing attempted or successful military interventions. The latest incident has heightened regional concerns about democratic backsliding and insecurity.
With the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force, the regional bloc aims to deter further attempts at destabilization while ensuring the protection of Benin’s elected government.
