Ghana Army to Commit Troops to thwart Benin Coup

Ghana has been ordered by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to immediately deploy military enforcement to Benin following an attempted military coup against President Patrice Talon on Sunday.

According to an ECOWAS statement issued after an emergency consultation, the standby force will consist of troops drawn from other countries like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana. The bloc said the deployment is intended to support the Beninois government and armed forces to “preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”

The decision follows an earlier ECOWAS pledge to defend Benin’s stability “in all forms necessary,” including, if required, a military intervention by the regional standby arrangement.

The attempted coup unfolded Sunday morning when a group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state broadcaster, announcing that they had removed President Talon from power. The soldiers declared Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri as the head of a newly constituted “Military Committee for Refoundation,” claiming control of state institutions.

However, the government swiftly countered the claims. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou appeared on national television shortly afterwards, confirming that the coup attempt by what he described as “a small group of soldiers” had been successfully foiled. He reassured the public that the country remained under lawful civilian authority and urged citizens to go about their daily activities without fear.

The incident comes on the heels of renewed political instability in the region, including a recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau in late November, which saw General Horta Inta-A installed as transitional president. The developments have deepened concerns about democratic backsliding in West Africa, an area that has witnessed multiple coups over the past four years.

ECOWAS has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government and emphasized its commitment to safeguarding democratic governance across the subregion. The deployment of the standby force is expected to bolster Benin’s security and deter further destabilization attempts.