ECOWAS don order immediate deployment of part of its standby force go Republic of Benin after wetin dem describe as failed attempt by some soldiers to overthrow the government. The move happen on Sunday after serious consultations among leaders for the Mediation and Security Council wey sit at the level of Heads of State and Government.
According to the regional body, the decision follow the provisions wey dey inside the 1999 Protocol for Conflict Prevention, Management, Peacekeeping and Security. ECOWAS say the standby force go enter Benin sharply to help protect constitutional order and make sure say the territorial integrity of the country no shake.
The standby force wey dem send go include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. ECOWAS say the troops go work together with the Government of Benin and the Republican Army to maintain stability and stop any attempt to scatter the country or cause confusion.
The tension start earlier on Sunday when some soldiers appear for Benin state television claim say dem don remove President Patrice Talon from office. The group call themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” and announce say dem hold meeting, and from that meeting dem decide say the president no dey in office again.
Reports of gunshot for parts of Cotonou, especially near Camp Guezo close to the president residence, cause more fear. Foreign missions inside the area also warn their citizens make dem stay indoors because the situation be uncertain.
Even with the soldiers’ declaration, the office of President Talon talk say the president dey safe and in full control. According to the statement, the people wey attempt the coup na small group wey only manage take over television station. Government sources talk say the loyal military troops don already dey regain control and normalcy dey return for the city.
ECOWAS earlier condemn the attempted takeover sharply. The organisation say e receive the news with shock and see the action as serious attempt to overturn the will of the people of Benin. The regional body call for full respect of Benin constitution and praise the loyal forces wey dey work to restore calm.
ECOWAS also warn the coup plotters say dem go hold them responsible, both individually and collectively, for any loss of life or destruction of property wey happen because of their actions. The regional group also talk say e ready to assist the Benin government in any way necessary, including military intervention, to protect democratic order.
The attempted coup add to the growing number of political crises wey West Africa don dey face. Niger and Burkina Faso still dey under military rule, while there don also be recent incidents for Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Even though Benin no too dey known for major political wahala in recent times, the country still get history of coups in the past.
President Talon, wey be 67-year-old former businessman, don dey power since 2016 and e go complete his second and final term by April. The recent events don raise concerns about stability as the country approach the end of his tenure.
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