ECOWAS declares state of emergency in West African sub-region over coup threats

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has declared a regional state of emergency in response to escalating coups and mutinies across West Africa.

The announcement was made by Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, during the 55th session of the bloc’s Mediation and Security Council in Abuja on Tuesday.

He warned that the rise in military interventions demands “serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.”

The decision comes amid renewed instability in the region, including a recent attempted coup in Benin, where soldiers claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon.

Although the attempt failed, it has intensified concerns about democratic backsliding ahead of Talon’s scheduled exit next April.

Several countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea-Bissau, have experienced successful or attempted coups in recent years, while security agencies in Benin and other states have reported foiled mutinies.

Officials say the emergency meeting was convened to assess these growing threats, which range from unconstitutional power grabs to violent extremism.

The council also discussed measures to stabilise the region and reinforce democratic governance.

ECOWAS has come under criticism in recent months, particularly after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced their withdrawal from the bloc, accusing it of failing to adequately address their security concerns.

Despite these challenges, Touray said the commission remains committed to safeguarding constitutional rule and preventing further erosion of democratic institutions in West Africa.

Over the weekend, Benin’s government revealed loyal security forces had thwarted an attempted coup by a small group of soldiers seeking to destabilise national institutions.

The country’s Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirmed that a mutinous faction launched a coordinated effort to seize power, describing it as an attempt “aimed at destabilising the country and its institutions.”

He added that the armed forces “maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt,” despite the brief disruption.

Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari reinforced the government’s message, stressing that the coup effort was contained quickly.

The mutineers, identified as at least eight soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, briefly appeared on state television to announce the overthrow of President Patrice Talon and the suspension of all state institutions.

They called themselves the “Military Committee for Refoundation” and claimed the borders had been shut and political parties suspended.