The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned a failed military coup in Benin Republic and pledged to support the government and people of the country. In a statement issued on Sunday, ECOWAS expressed consternation at the attempted military takeover, describing it as a subversion of the will of the Beninese people. The regional bloc stated that it would support the government and people of Benin in all necessary forms, including the deployment of its regional standby force, to defend the country’s constitution and territorial integrity.
The attempted coup was reportedly led by a group of soldiers under the leadership of Lt.-Col. Pascal Tigri, who declared himself the leader on national television. However, the Beninese government announced that the armed forces had thwarted the coup and regained control. The country’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, confirmed that the situation was under control, and the government was working to maintain order.
ECOWAS commended the efforts of the Beninese government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control and called for the full respect of the country’s constitution. The regional bloc also warned that it would hold the leaders of the plot responsible for any loss of life and property occasioned by their actions.
The attempted coup in Benin is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the ECOWAS sub-region. Recently, there have been coup attempts in Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which have all exited the regional bloc. Benin’s President, Patrice Talon, who was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2021, has faced challenges in maintaining stability in the country.
The situation in Benin is being closely monitored by regional and international organizations, and ECOWAS has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country’s government and people in maintaining peace and stability. The regional bloc’s decision to deploy its standby force if necessary underscores its determination to defend the constitution and territorial integrity of its member states. As the situation in Benin continues to unfold, ECOWAS will likely play a key role in maintaining regional stability and promoting democratic governance.
