In response to the attempted military coup in the Republic of Benin on Sunday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has ordered the immediate deployment of elements of the ECOWAS standby force following consultations at the different levels of government.
This was made known according to a statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission, stating that it aligns with Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security.
The statement reads in part, “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.
“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.”
On Sunday morning, there was an attempted military coup by a group that tagged itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, stating that President Patrice Talon and all political officeholders have been removed and all institutions dissolved.
Subsequently, the presidency stated that Talon was safe and the “regular” army had thwarted the coup attempt and the coup plotters were being arrested.
More details later.
