The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced the immediate deployment of elements of its Standby Force to the Republic of Benin, following high-level consultations among Heads of State and Government.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 7 December 2025, the ECOWAS Commission said the decision was taken in line with its conflict-prevention mandate, specifically citing Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security.

According to the Commission, the move follows consultations by members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, leading to directives from the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority.

Under the new directive:

A regional military contingent of the ECOWAS Standby Force will be deployed to Benin with immediate effect.

The force will comprise troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.

Its mandate is to support the Government and Republican Army of Benin in safeguarding constitutional order and protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.

The deployment underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and democratic governance within the region, particularly at a time of rising political and security challenges across West Africa.

The Commission assured that it will continue to monitor the situation closely while working with all stakeholders to ensure the preservation of stability in the Republic of Benin.