ECOWAS to deploy regional force to Benin after coup attempt

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the deployment of a regional standby force to Benin following an attempted military coup on Sunday. According to an ECOWAS statement, troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana will be dispatched to assist the Beninese government and army in preserving constitutional order and territorial integrity. The move follows an earlier pledge by the bloc to support Benin "in all forms necessary."

Details of the Coup Attempt and Government Response

A group of soldiers announced on state broadcaster that they had removed President Patrice Talon from power and appointed Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri to lead a newly formed "Military Committee for Refoundation." However, Interior Minister Alassane Seidou quickly appeared on national television to declare the coup attempt by "a small group of soldiers" had been foiled, urging citizens to continue with their daily activities. The conflicting statements created a brief period of uncertainty before the government asserted control.

ECOWAS's Rapid Interventionist Stance

The decision to deploy forces underscores ECOWAS's increasingly assertive posture against military takeovers in the region, which has experienced several coups in recent years. The bloc's standby force is designed for rapid intervention in member states facing threats to constitutional governance. This deployment aims to deter further instability and signal regional solidarity with Benin's elected government.

Regional Context of Recent Coups

The attempted coup in Benin follows a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau in late November, which installed General Horta Inta-A as transitional president. These events highlight persistent political fragility in parts of West Africa. ECOWAS's swift response reflects its commitment to a protocol that rejects unconstitutional changes of government, though the effectiveness and timeline of the force's deployment remain to be seen.