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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The ECOWAS Parliament has denounced the attempted military takeover in the Republic of Benin, voicing unwavering support for the country’s legitimate, constitutional government.
The resolution was adopted on Friday, 12 December 2025, during the Community Parliament’s second ordinary session of the year.
Lawmakers reiterated that “the Parliament strongly condemns the attempted coup d’état in Benin” and rejects any effort to gain power through unconstitutional means. The stance aligns with the regional bloc’s long-standing principles on democratic governance, as outlined in the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which prohibits any form of illegitimate change of government.
As part of the regional response, the Parliament endorsed the decision of the Authority of Heads of State and Government to deploy the ECOWAS Standby Force to Benin. According to the resolution, this deployment aims “to protect constitutional order and prevent any further destabilization of this member state.”
In addition to the security measures, the Parliament urged authorities in Cotonou to prioritize political inclusivity. It called on the Beninese Government to commence dialogue with all political actors to ensure an open, credible, and consensus-driven electoral process in line with ECOWAS norms.
The resolution is part of ECOWAS’ renewed commitment to safeguarding democracy in West Africa at a time when the region continues to grapple with recurrent threats of unconstitutional power grabs.