AU and ECOWAS Issue Strong Condemnation of Attempted Coup in Benin Republic

The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have issued forceful condemnations of Sunday's attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin, denouncing it as an assault on democratic order and demanding the immediate restoration of constitutional rule.

The condemnation follows reports that a group of military officers, identifying as the "Military Committee for Refoundation" and reportedly led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, seized the national television station in Cotonou. In a broadcast, they claimed to have dissolved state institutions and removed President Patrice Talon from power. According to Beninese media, the group also attacked the presidential residence in the city's Le Guézo neighborhood.

African Union's "Zero Tolerance" Stance

In a statement released on Sunday, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, "strongly and unequivocally" condemned the coup attempt. The AU framed the event as part of a dangerous trend undermining stability on the continent.

"Any form of military interference in political processes constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental principles and values of the African Union," Yousouf stated. He emphasized the organization's "zero tolerance stance toward any unconstitutional change of government, regardless of context or justification."

The statement recalled several continental legal instruments, including the Lomé Declaration and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which explicitly prohibit military encroachment in politics. The AU demanded that those involved "immediately cease all unlawful actions" and return to their barracks, reaffirming its support for President Talon and the constitutional order.

ECOWAS Pledges Support, Warns of Consequences

ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc, echoed the AU's condemnation, stating it had received the news "with consternation." It labeled the attempt "an unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin."

The bloc issued a stark warning to the plotters, stating it holds them "both individually and collectively responsible for any loss to life and property occasioned by their action." In a significant declaration of support, ECOWAS pledged to assist the Beninese government "in all forms necessary, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin."

The swift and coordinated response from Africa's premier regional bodies highlights the heightened alert against military interventions in West Africa, a region that has witnessed several successful coups in recent years. Both organizations commended Beninese security forces for their rapid action in containing the situation.

*Source: Sahara Reporters,

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