ECOWAS Condemns Attempted Military Takeover in Benin, Warns Coup Plotters
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned an attempted military takeover in Benin Republic, following reports of confusion and gunfire in parts of Cotonou after soldiers claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon.
In a statement from Abuja on Sunday, ECOWAS described the move as unconstitutional and urged respect for Benin’s constitutional order.
The regional bloc commended the security forces for their efforts to restore calm and warned that those behind the plot would be held accountable.
“ECOWAS holds the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsible for any loss of life and property occasioned by their action,” the statement said. It also signalled readiness to intervene if necessary, including deploying the regional standby force to defend Benin’s Constitution and territorial integrity.
Earlier, a group of soldiers calling themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” announced on state television that they had removed Talon from office.
The president’s office, however, insisted he was safe, saying, “This is a small group of people who only control the television. The regular army is regaining control. The city and the country are completely secure.”
The French embassy reported disturbances near Camp Guezo, close to Talon’s official residence, with gunfire heard in the area. French nationals were advised to stay indoors.
The attempted takeover comes amid a wave of political instability in West Africa, with recent coups reported in Niger, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau. Benin, once regarded as one of the region’s most stable democracies, has a history of coups and attempted coups.
Talon, 67, a former businessman known as Cotonou’s “cotton king,” has governed since 2016 and is set to leave office in April at the end of his second and final term under the constitution.
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