By Mark Longyen
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it will deploy its regional standby force to defend Benin Republic, if necessary, following a failed military coup in the country.
A statement issued by the commission on Sunday in Abuja said ECOWAS condemned the failed coup, describing it as a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.
It pledged to support the government and people of Benin Republic in all forms necessary, including military deployment in the country to defend its constitution and territorial integrity.
“ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin.
“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.
“ECOWAS will support the government and the people in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin,” the statement said.
While saluting the successful efforts of the government of Benin and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control, it called for the full respect of the country’s constitution.
It said it would hold the leaders of the plot both individually and collectively responsable for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action.
Earlier on Sunday, Benin local media reported that the coup was orchestrated by a group of soldiers led by Lt.-Col. Pascal Tigri, who declared himself their leader on national television.
However, hours later, Benin’s Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, announced that the country’s armed forces had thwarted the attempted coup and regained control.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Benin’s President, Patrice Talon, first took office in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.
The coup attempt to topple Talon is one in a list of others in the ECOWAS sub-region following a recent incident in Guinea-Bissau.
Others were in the Sahel states of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, who have all exited the regional bloc.(NAN)