The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the immediate deployment of its standby force to the Republic of Benin following the recent foiling of an attempted military coup in the country.
In a statement released on Sunday, the regional bloc said the troops, including personnel from neighbouring Nigeria, are being mobilised to support the Beninese government and help protect the country’s constitutional order.
In its earlier reaction on Sunday, the West African bloc had condemned the coup attempt, calling for full respect of the Constitution of Benin.
It also saluted the efforts of the Government and the Republican Army in bringing the situation under control.
ECOWAS said the decision to deploy standby force is in pursuant to the provisions of relevant ECOWAS instruments, in particular Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution Peacekeeping and Security.
“After consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, the Chair of 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 Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and Republic of Ghana.
“The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin,” the statement read in part
