Daily Digest Online

ABUJA, Nigeria — The president of West Africa's primary political and economic bloc has declared the region is in a "state of emergency," citing a dangerous spiral of military coups, attempted takeovers, and escalating security crises that threaten the future of democracy. Omar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, issued the stark warning on Tuesday during an address to the bloc's mediation and security council. His statement came just two days after a coup attempt was thwarted in Benin, the latest in a series of military power grabs that have destabilized the region. Last month, a successful coup in Guinea-Bissau ousted former President Umaro Embalo. "Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community," Touray told the council. "Faced with this situation, E...

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 unequi...