ECOWAS Chairman, President Julius Maada Bio has publicly commended President Patrice Talon and the armed forces of Benin for their swift and courageous response in thwarting the attempted coup that rocked Cotonou on Sunday.

Bio applauded Talon’s leadership and the loyalty of the Beninese military, describing their actions as vital for “the defence of democracy and constitutional order.” He also extended his gratitude to fellow “Heads of State” across the region for their solidarity and collective support.

The commendation follows an attempted military takeover earlier on Sunday, during which a group of soldiers briefly announced the suspension of the constitution, closure of borders, and seizure of the country’s airspace. The coup plotters claimed to have ousted President Patrice Talon, but the regular army swiftly regained control. Several soldiers allegedly involved in the plot were arrested shortly after order was restored.

ECOWAS condemned the attempted coup as an “unconstitutional move” and warned that those responsible would be held accountable for any loss of life or destruction of property. T

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he African Union also issued a strong denunciation of the incident, reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on unconstitutional changes of government.

The failed coup comes at a time of mounting political instability in the West African region, marked by recent military takeovers in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. ECOWAS has pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely and supporting Benin’s democratic institutions as the country moves forward.