The regional bloc ECOWAS has ordered the immediate deployment of its standby force to the Republic of Benin, following an attempted military coup earlier today. The move comes after a group of dissident soldiers briefly seized state television and declared the dissolution of the government.
Coup attempt swiftly foiled — but tensions remain
According to the government, a small group of soldiers, reportedly led by Pascal Tigri, appeared on national television in the early hours of Sunday, claiming they had removed Patrice Talon from power, suspended the constitution and closed the country’s borders and airspace.
Authorities say loyal units of the security forces quickly responded. By midday, control of the state broadcaster and key institutions had been restored. Arrests have been made — fourteen individuals reportedly detained so far.
The government has described the situation as a “mutiny,” not a coup proper, emphasizing that the bulk of the military remained loyal.
Despite the swift containment of the crisis, the incident has shaken one of West Africa’s more stable democracies. The last time Benin experienced a major coup attempt was decades ago — making this attempt particularly unsettling just months before the next presidential election, scheduled for April 2026.
ECOWAS response: from condemnation to military backing
In a strongly worded statement, ECOWAS described the attempted takeover as an unconstitutional move and a subversion of the will of the people of Benin. The bloc called for full respect for the country’s constitution and praised the Beninese government and army for restoring order.
Declaring that “all forms necessary” support were on the table, ECOWAS invoked Article 25(e) of its 1999 Protocol for conflict prevention and ordered the deployment of the standby force. The force will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Their mandate: to assist the Beninese government and army in preserving constitutional order and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
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The deployment reflects deep concern across West Africa over rising political instability. The African Union (AU) also condemned the attempted coup, calling for an immediate return to constitutional order and reaffirming support for President Talon and the legitimate Beninese authorities.
Backers of the plot have been warned that they will be held individually and collectively responsible for any loss of life or damage to property resulting from their actions.
The swift loyalty of the regular armed forces in Benin — and their decisive action to contain the mutiny — underscores that, for now, democratic institutions remain intact.
Deployment of ECOWAS troops serves as a deterrent against further attempts. Yet the rapid mobilization has drawn caution from experts. For example, governance analyst Vladimir Antwi‑Danso warned that rushed interventions without adequate intelligence could expose contributing countries to unnecessary risk.
The coup attempt — and the response — come at a delicate political juncture ahead of Benin’s 2026 presidential election, a period already fraught with tensions. The incident may deepen mistrust, fuel calls for security-sector reforms, or trigger tighter political control depending on how the government behaves going forward.
The rapid intervention by ECOWAS highlights the high stakes of preserving constitutional order in Benin — not only for the country itself but for broader regional stability. While the immediate crisis appears to be under control, the incident is likely to have lasting political and security repercussions.
