International Relations expert Irbad Ibrahim has called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen its peer review mechanisms following the attempted coup in Benin.
Speaking on Morning Target with Bright Nana Amfoh, Mr. Ibrahim argued that the Non-Interference Clause in the ECOWAS charter has limited the ability of West African leaders to hold each other accountable, contributing to the rise of coups in the subregion.
“Serious reforms need to happen if ECOWAS is to survive the next decade,” he said, while calling on “ECOWAS to strengthen its peer review mechanisms so that when a leader is doing something wrong, fellow leaders can step on his foot and say: the path you’re taking could lead to a coup.”
Attempted Coup in Benin
In the early hours of Sunday, December 7, a group of soldiers appeared on Benin’s state television announcing the dissolution of the government. The group, calling itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, declared that President Patrice Talon had been removed and all state institutions dissolved. Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri was named head of the military committee.
The attempt was foiled by Benin’s army. President Talon later condemned the move in his first public comments, after sporadic gunfire was reported in parts of the administrative capital, Cotonou.
The incident adds to a growing list of military takeovers in West Africa. Just last month, Guinea-Bissau’s former President Umaro Embalo was ousted after a disputed election in which both he and the opposition candidate claimed victory.
ECOWAS, in a statement, strongly condemned the attempted coup in Benin:
“ECOWAS strongly condemns this unconstitutional move that represents a subversion of the will of the people of Benin. ECOWAS will support the Government and the people in all forms necessary to defend the Constitution and the territorial integrity of Benin.”
