The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the deployment of its regional standby force to Benin Republic following reports of an attempted military takeover of the government.
In a statement issued late Sunday, the ECOWAS Commission confirmed that troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana would be deployed to support Benin’s government in restoring constitutional order.
The move follows earlier warnings by the regional bloc that it would intervene if democratic governance in Benin was threatened.
According to the commission, the deployment was authorised under Article 25(e) of the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security.
The decision was reached after consultations among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government.
“The Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the immediate deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force,” the statement said.
ECOWAS noted that the regional force would work alongside Benin’s government and republican army to preserve constitutional order and protect the country’s territorial integrity.
The bloc reiterated its zero-tolerance stance for unconstitutional changes of government, as it continues efforts to stabilise the West African sub-region.
