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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the deployment of its Standby Force to the Republic of Benin following a sudden military takeover that has plunged the country into political uncertainty.
In a statement released on Sunday, December 7, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission said the decision was taken during an emergency meeting of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government. The deployment is anchored in Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security.
According to ECOWAS, the action takes immediate effect and is intended to “uphold constitutional order and protect the territorial integrity” of Benin.
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The regional force will consist of personnel from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. The contingent will operate alongside the government and Republican Army of Benin, although ECOWAS did not disclose the size of the deployment or specific operational timelines.
The current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government authorised the move, which underscores the bloc’s growing resolve to counter unconstitutional changes of government across West Africa.
The deployment announcement followed chaotic scenes in Cotonou earlier in the day, when a group of soldiers appeared on national television to announce they had suspended the constitution and closed all land borders and airspace.
The soldiers declared President Patrice Talon removed from office and introduced Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal as the head of a newly established military transition council.
The coup leaders accused President Talon of poor governance and claimed their intervention was necessary to “restore national direction”.
ECOWAS condemned the unconstitutional takeover and reiterated its unwavering commitment to defending democratic governance in the region. The bloc said further updates would be communicated as the situation in Benin evolves.
The developments add to the rising wave of political instability across West Africa, where several member states have experienced coups or attempted coups in recent years.
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