The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the immediate deployment of its Standby Force to the Republic of Benin following a reported failed coup attempt in the country.
The decision was reached after consultations among members of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government. This was made known in an official statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission.
According to the Commission, the action was taken in line with provisions of relevant ECOWAS legal frameworks, particularly Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security. The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government subsequently authorized the deployment with immediate effect.
The regional force will comprise troops drawn from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. Its mandate is to assist the Government of Benin and the Republican Army in maintaining constitutional order and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
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