ECOWAS authorises urgent military deployment to stabilise Benin 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sanctioned the immediate deployment of its Standby Force to the Republic of Benin as part of decisive measures to uphold constitutional governance and protect the country’s territorial integrity. 

A statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on Sunday and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the directive was approved by the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government following high-level consultations within the Mediation and Security Council. 

The Commission emphasised that the intervention is anchored on Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol on the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, which mandates the regional bloc to act swiftly in situations that threaten democratic order and national stability. 

It said the Regional Force would comprise troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, forming a robust security coalition equipped to provide operational and strategic support to the Government and the Republican Army of Benin. 

ECOWAS assured that the deployment aims to reinforce stability, strengthen state institutions, and ensure the preservation of the sovereign and constitutional order of the Republic of Benin.  

Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal and a group of soldiers announced a coup d’état in Bénin Republic on Sunday, claiming to have overthrown incumbent President Patrice Talon. 

They indicated on the country’s national television that political parties were suspended, and all land, air, and sea borders have been closed as the military had taken over. 

Citizens of Benin believed the recent change in the tenure of the President from five to seven years might be key in the abortive overthrow. 

Source: GNA  

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