Foiled coup: ECOWAS deploys troops to Benin, plotters arrested

Soldiers announce coup d'état in the Republic of Benin. Photo: BTV

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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 commission added, “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.

Also, the Nigerian Air Force has deployed a jet to the Republic of Benin following the alleged attempted coup in the country.

Military sources had told our correspondent that the aircraft which left from Lagos had headed to Benin republic.

The aircraft was deployed from Lagos to Benin republic for aerial surveillance and monitoring.

Another source had said told our correspondent that the surveillance carried out by the jet was undertaken in “Nigeria’s national interest.”

“The aircraft was on a surveillance mission and was done based on the national interest,” the source said.

Confirming the deployment, NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehinmen Ejodame, said its operation in the Republic of Benin was carried out under existing ECOWAS protocols and the mandate of the ECOWAS Standby Force.

He said the mission aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and was carried out in coordination with ECOWAS and host-nation authorities.

He noted that the operation adhered to international norms and regional directives.

Ejodame said, “The Nigerian Air Force has operated in the Republic of Benin in line with ECOWAS protocols and the ECOWAS Standby Force mandate. This operation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to regional security and is being conducted in coordination with ECOWAS and host-nation authorities, in full adherence to international norms and regional directives.”

In the early hours of Sunday a group of mutineers in military uniforms launched an assault on the presidential residence to topple the president.

Their attack was repelled, forcing the plotters to shift tactics.

In a desperate move, they stormed the Office de Radiodiffusion et Télévision du Bénin, seized the national broadcast hub, and attempted to take control of the state signal.

By late Sunday, the government had secured major installations and restored order across the city.

“The situation is under control. The National Guard has everything surrounded,” a senior security official stated on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing operation.

In earlier statements on Sunday, ECOWAS, the African Union and Nigeria have strongly condemned an attempted military takeover in the Benin Republic, which sparked confusion and gunfire in parts of the economic capital, Cotonou, on Sunday.

A group of soldiers, identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation,” announced on state television on Sunday that they had removed President Patrice Talon from office and dissolved all state institutions.

They claimed to have seized power, but the presidency swiftly countered, stating that Talon remained safe and that loyalist forces were regaining 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,” the statement said.

The French embassy reported disturbances near Camp Guezo, close to the president’s official residence, and warned its nationals to remain indoors.

Following the broadcast, authorities in Benin arrested around a dozen individuals involved in the attempted coup.

Military and security sources told AFP that 13 arrests had been made, most of them serving soldiers, along with one former member of the armed forces.

The detainees included the ringleaders of the foiled operation.

ECOWAS issued a statement describing the coup attempt as “an unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”

“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 statement also reaffirmed the bloc’s readiness to intervene if necessary, including through deployment of its regional standby force.

“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.” it said.

Similarly, the African Union expressed strong disapproval.

AU Chairperson, Mahmoud Yousouf, described the coup attempt as “a direct affront to the continent’s democratic principles” and condemned all military interference in political processes as a grave violation of the AU Constitutive Act and related frameworks.

Yousouf called on those involved to return immediately to their barracks, respect the Constitution of Benin, and prioritize national unity and peace.

Reaffirming the AU’s zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government, Yousouf reiterated the organisation’s commitment to defending democratic governance and the rule of law, while pledging support for President Patrice Talon and Benin’s legitimate authorities.

“The AU stands with the Beninese people, who continue to demonstrate their commitment to democracy, peace, and institutional stability,” the statement added.

Yousouf also noted that the AU, in collaboration with regional and international partners, is ready to assist Benin in restoring constitutional normalcy and strengthening democratic institutions.

Also, the Federal Government of Nigeria joined in condemning the coup attempt, describing it as “a direct assault on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people.”

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria expressed solidarity with the Beninese government and praised the swift response of its security forces.

“We commend the courage and professionalism of the Beninese security forces in defending the constitutional order and guaranteeing the safety of the President. Their dedication ensured that the unfortunate attempt to subvert democracy was decisively repelled,” the statement said.

Nigeria urged calm and stressed the importance of resolving political differences through constitutional and peaceful means, reaffirming its commitment to democracy, good governance, and regional stability.

The attempted coup occurred amid a wave of military takeovers and political unrest in West Africa in recent years, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau.

Benin, historically regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, has experienced several coups and attempted coups in the past.

President Patrice Talon, 67, a former businessman known as the “cotton king” of Cotonou, has governed since 2016 and is constitutionally due to step down in April at the end of his second term.

Analysts note that the attempted takeover comes at a sensitive time as Talon prepares to conclude his presidency.

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