ECOWAS condemns Benin coup attempt, threatens deployment of standby force

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The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday condemned what it described as an attempted military takeover in Benin Republic.

This is just as confusion and gunfire were reported in parts of Cotonou following an announcement by soldiers claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon from office.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the regional bloc said, “ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin.

“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”

The commission urged respect for Benin’s constitutional order and commended the security forces for their efforts to restore calm.

“ECOWAS calls for the full respect of the Constitution of Benin and salutes the efforts of the government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control,” it said, warning that coup plotters would be held accountable.

“ECOWAS holds the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action,” it added.

The bloc also signalled readiness to intervene if necessary, stating, ”ECOWAS will support the government and the people in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin.”

The statement followed an announcement earlier in the day by a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation.”

Appearing on state television, they declared that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic”.

Talon’s entourage, however, insisted that the president was secure and that loyalist forces were taking back control.

“This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure,” his office told AFP.

The French embassy reported disturbances near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence in the economic capital, noting on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” and advising French nationals to remain indoors.

The attempted takeover comes at a tense moment for the region, which has seen multiple coups in recent years, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Benin, once considered one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, has a history of coups and attempted coups.

Talon, 67, a former businessman known as the “cotton king” of Cotonou, has governed since 2016. He is expected to step down in April at the end of his second and final term as allowed by the constitution.

The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.

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