Benin Republic: African Parliamentary Aides Association Commends ECOWAS Over Planned Deployment of Standby Force

The African Parliamentary Aides Association (APAA), the apex body of parliamentary aides across Africa, has commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Nigerian government for their intervention that prevented an attempted coup d’état in the Republic of Benin.

This position was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday, December 15, and signed by the President of APAA, High Chief Barr. Emeka Nwala, who also serves as Chairman of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF) in Nigeria.

Nwala said the swift response by ECOWAS, the Nigerian government and other regional leaders demonstrated the bloc’s readiness to promote peace and stability among its member states. He noted that APAA fully aligns with the deployment of troops to contain the situation and safeguard democracy.

“We commend the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its timely decision and action to deploy a standby force to the Republic of Benin to restore normalcy following last Sunday’s attempted coup. This action underscores ECOWAS’ preparedness and responsiveness to its mandate of providing urgent and necessary support to member states during emergencies, as currently witnessed in Benin.

“We strongly align with the deployment of ECOWAS troops to the Republic of Benin, as such a prompt and responsible move will have a positive impact in stabilizing the government led by Mr. Patrice Talon. It will also assist the loyal Armed Forces in fully reclaiming effective control over the nation’s territorial integrity,” Nwala said.

He further praised the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for promptly releasing troops to address the chaotic situation. He also thanked other West African leaders for contributing forces, lending their voices, and discouraging the disruption of a democratically elected government.

“Accordingly, we laud the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of H.E. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Nigerian Senate for approving the deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin. We also commend other West African countries such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone for their commitment to the restoration of peace and order in Benin by agreeing to contribute troops.

“We therefore call on the relevant security agencies to ensure the restoration of law and order, the protection of constitutional sanctity, and the safety of democratic institutions and citizens,” Nwala stated.

Condemning the attempted forceful seizure of power, Nwala decried the actions of the coup plotters, describing such acts as a dangerous and recurring trend across the African continent.

“Consequently, we condemn in strong terms last Sunday’s failed coup in Benin and applaud the Federal Government of Nigeria, under H.E. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside other national governments, groups and individuals who played roles in thwarting the insurrection.

“We are deeply alarmed by the increasing wave of coups in Africa, particularly within the West African sub-region, where countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are currently under military rule. Recently, Guinea-Bissau also joined the list of West African states that have abandoned democratic governance,” he emphasized.

Expressing concern over the erosion of democratic values, Nwala said African legislative aides are worried that if such insurrections are not decisively addressed, they could undermine democracy—hard-won through years of struggle and sacrifice by Africans.

“We are greatly concerned that if this unfolding political situation in Africa is left unchecked, it could erode the region’s democratic foundations, which were achieved through years of struggle, sacrifice and bloodshed. We must resist any temptation to return to the dark era of military autocracy, given its disastrous consequences for African development,” he stressed.

Nwala also called on the African Union (AU), political leaders, governments and the military across the continent to intervene proactively and develop strategies to prevent the recurrence of such crises. He emphasized that African leaders must lead by example through accountability, good stewardship and zero tolerance for corruption, in order to make coups unattractive.

“We therefore urge regional bodies, particularly the African Union, national governments, political leaders and armed forces across Africa to act responsibly by prioritizing the promotion, preservation and consolidation of strong democratic structures.

“We demand that political office holders and policymakers shun corruption and self-centeredness, and instead embrace accountability, transparency, openness and consultative governance, so that the path of insurrection and rebellion becomes unattractive,” Nwala asserted.