By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
ECOWAS Chair and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has praised President Patrice Talon of Benin for his decisive leadership in foiling an attempted military coup on Sunday.
The coup attempt was quickly contained by Benin’s Armed Forces with support from ECOWAS member states, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.
In an official statement, President Bio expressed deep appreciation to fellow Heads of State for their solidarity and coordinated efforts in safeguarding democracy and constitutional order in Benin. He commended President Talon’s steadfast leadership and the courage demonstrated by Benin’s security forces in restoring calm and protecting state institutions.
The incident had sparked renewed concerns over regional stability, occurring against the backdrop of multiple military takeovers in West Africa in recent years, including in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Both ECOWAS and the African Union condemned the attempted coup, reaffirming their commitment to preserving democratic governance across the continent.
President Talon, who has been in office since 2016, is widely recognised for driving economic reforms but continues to grapple with escalating jihadist threats in northern Benin. He has vowed that all individuals involved in the coup attempt will face justice.
The swift response to the attempted overthrow is being hailed as a clear demonstration of strong regional cooperation and collective resolve to defend democratic values. ECOWAS has pledged continued support to Benin as it strengthens its democratic institutions and moves forward after the incident.