ECOWAS sends standby force to Benin after failed coup attempt

• ECOWAS member states (File Photo)

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The Economic Community of West African States on Sunday ordered the deployment of elements of its standby force to the Republic of Benin, hours after condemning what it described as an attempted military takeover in the country.

The ECOWAS Commission disclosed the decision in a statement issued just after consultations among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government.

It said, “Further to its earlier statement on the Republic of Benin, the ECOWAS Commission hereby informs the general public that pursuant to the provisions of relevant ECOWAS instruments, in particular Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution Peacekeeping and Security, and after consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of 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 Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana. The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”

This escalation comes amid tension and reports of gunfire in parts of Cotonou, after a group of soldiers appeared on state television today claiming to have removed President Patrice Talon from office.

Calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” the soldiers announced that they had met and decided that “Mr Patrice Talon is removed from office as president of the republic.”

Earlier, ECOWAS had issued a strong condemnation from Abuja, saying it received “with consternation” the news of an attempted military takeover.

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

The commission urged full respect for Benin’s constitutional order while praising loyal forces for working 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 stated.

It also warned the coup plotters, saying, “ECOWAS holds the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action.”

The bloc signalled its readiness to intervene if necessary. “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 read.

Despite the claims by the renegade soldiers, Talon’s office insisted the president was safe and in command.

“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 residence in Cotonou. It was written on X that “gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo” and advised French nationals to remain indoors.

The attempted coup adds to the region’s growing instability following recent military takeovers in Niger, Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Benin, once known as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, has its own history of coups and attempted coups.

Talon, 67, a former businessman nicknamed the “cotton king” of Cotonou, has been in power since 2016 and is expected to step down in April at the end of his second and final term.

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

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