ABUJA, Dec. 8, 2025 (Naija247news) – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered the immediate deployment of its Standby Force to Benin following Sunday’s foiled coup attempt, escalating the regional bloc’s response to the political crisis in Cotonou.
The directive was issued late Sunday in a fresh statement by the ECOWAS Commission, coming just hours after its initial reaction condemned the attempted seizure of power by mutinous soldiers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that ECOWAS was likely to activate its standby force based on warnings contained in the first communiqué.
According to the Commission, the decision was reached after wide consultations with Heads of State and Government, and with the Mediation and Security Council, drawing authority from Article 25(e) of the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security.
“The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect,” the statement read.
The regional contingent will comprise troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, and will operate alongside Benin’s government and Republican Army to safeguard constitutional order and preserve the country’s territorial integrity.
The deployment marks one of ECOWAS’ strongest security interventions in recent years, underscoring the bloc’s increasing resolve to deter military takeovers in West Africa after a succession of coups across the Sahel.
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Godwin Okafor is the Publisher & CEO of Naija247news Media Group LLC, an independent investigative news platform delivering accurate, data-driven reporting on Nigerian and global politics, economy, finance, and business. Founded in October 2010, Naija247news specializes in developmental journalism, providing timely insights and analysis to readers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
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