ECOWAS Parliament Denounces Benin Coup Attempt, Endorses Standby Force Intervention

Janet Salihu

The ECOWAS Parliament has strongly condemned the attempted coup d’état in the Republic of Benin, describing it as a blatant violation of democratic principles and regional norms, and has endorsed the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force to protect constitutional order in the country.

The resolution was adopted at plenary on December 12, 2025, during the Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament held in Abuja.

Lawmakers said the coup attempt posed a serious threat not only to Benin’s stability but also to peace and security across the West African region.

In the resolution, the Parliament reaffirmed its continued support for the legitimate and constitutional government of Benin and rejected all forms of unconstitutional seizure of power, adding that it fully supported the decision of the Authority of Heads of State and Government to immediately deploy the ECOWAS Standby Force as a necessary measure to prevent further destabilisation and safeguard democratic governance.

However, the Parliament recommended that the deployment be time-bound and should not exceed the duration approved by the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

It also called on ECOWAS member states, regional institutions and the international community to stand in solidarity with Benin by providing political, logistical and humanitarian support to the intervention.

The lawmakers further requested the ECOWAS Commission to closely monitor the situation in Benin and submit regular reports to the Parliament.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament was mandated to transmit the resolution to the Government of the Republic of Benin and the ECOWAS Commission for onward transmission to the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The Parliament stressed that coup attempts constitute dangerous precedents for the region and underscored the need for greater firmness and collective action by ECOWAS to defend democracy, human rights and good governance in line with its revised treaty.