UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the attempted unconstitutional seizure of power in the Republic of Benin.
In a statement on Monday, Guterres condemned any effort to undermine democratic governance in the country, warning that such actions could further destabilise the West African region. He called for full respect for the rule of law and the constitution.
“Our Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, is actively engaging with national authorities and other stakeholders, as well as regional and international partners, to support efforts to restore peace and stability in Benin,” the UN chief said.
Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting national and regional institutions in safeguarding constitutional order, adding that the organisation is working closely with ECOWAS and the African Union to promote a coordinated regional response.
Meanwhile, Benin’s President Patrice Talon has publicly thanked the country’s military leadership for helping to suppress the attempted coup.
On Sunday morning, a group of soldiers calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation seized control of state television and announced the dissolution of the government. Hours later, the Minister of Interior announced that loyalist forces had “foiled” the takeover attempt.
The incident adds to a growing list of military coups or attempted coups that have shaken West Africa in recent years. In November, a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau removed former President Umaro Embaló following a disputed election.
ECOWAS said on Monday that it ordered the deployment of troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to assist Benin in “preserving constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”
The regional bloc earlier described the attempted coup as “a subversion of the will of the people of Benin.”
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu also commended the Nigerian armed forces for their role in supporting Benin’s loyalist troops. According to a statement by government spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Benin requested both air and ground support.
“It took some hours before the government’s loyal forces, assisted by Nigeria, took control and flushed out the coup plotters from the National TV,” Onanuga said.