ECOWAS has ordered the deployment of military troops from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast in the Benin Republic as part of a regional force to restore stability in the West African country following a failed coup attempt by a group of soldiers on Sunday. 

“Persuant 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, and  after consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government,” the statement noted.

Sunday’s announcement came hours after Benin Republic President Patrice Talon addressed the nation, stating that a small group of soldiers initiated a mutiny to take over the country.

He noted that he was taking appropriate measures as the leader of the country to “thwart the actions of adventurers seeking to drag us back into a past of painful memory.”

The ECOWAS in the letter noted that, “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 Cote Divoire, 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.”