Nigeria Leads ECOWAS Intervention to Foil Benin Coup Attempt

West Africa recently witnessed a rapid and decisive response from Nigeria and other ECOWAS states to thwart a coup attempt in Benin, a country seen as a critical part of the region’s stability. On December 7, 2025, within hours of mutinous soldiers announcing a takeover, Nigerian forces deployed aerial and ground support at the request of President Patrice Talon. The intervention marked the first military operation under the 1999 ECOWAS protocol, which is designed to uphold democracy and good governance across member states. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s swift decision-making underscored the country’s growing regional influence.

The ECOWAS Protocol in Action

Under the ECOWAS protocol, member states are obligated to defend democratic governments against unconstitutional changes. As Benin’s President Talon twice formally requested support, citing escalating threats from mutinous forces stationed in a high-density civilian zone, Nigeria spearheaded an intervention. Backed by other ECOWAS states, the operation involved targeted strikes that reportedly neutralized militant armored vehicles, stalling the uprising led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri. This coordinated effort highlights Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability and sets a precedent for future responses to political unrest in West Africa.

Averting a New Coup Belt Member

The successful intervention prevented Benin from falling into West Africa’s so-called “coup belt,” which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – nations grappling with repeated military takeovers and strained political climates. Analysts point to growing jihadist insurgencies across the Sahel as a root cause of such instability, often leading to political upheavals. In the case of Benin, insurgent activities in the north likely exacerbated grievances among dissenting soldiers, who accused the government of neglecting their sacrifices in combating these threats.

President Talon, a wealthy entrepreneur turned politician, has overseen substantial economic progress, with GDP growth reaching 7.5% in 2024. However, his leadership style—marked by electoral rule changes that allegedly marginalize opposition parties—remains contentious. Many critics argue that these political maneuvers may have contributed to unrest, with a disenfranchised opposition now turning to the military as a vehicle for dissent.

Diplomatic Challenges Highlight Regional Tensions

While the intervention in Benin was largely seen as a success, regional tensions spiked briefly when a Nigerian military aircraft made an unauthorized landing in Burkina Faso, a nation that withdrew from ECOWAS earlier this year. The Nigerian Air Force explained it as a precautionary landing due to technical concerns, but Burkina Faso denounced the act as a violation of sovereignty. Despite a swift resolution involving the release of crew members, the incident underscores the geopolitical complexities of operating within a politically fragmented Sahel, where non-ECOWAS alliances like the Association of Sahel States are gaining traction.

The events in Benin not only reinforce Nigeria’s role as a stabilizing leader in the region but also demonstrate the challenges of combating rising insurgencies, supporting fragile democracies, and navigating delicate diplomatic relations. As ECOWAS looks to bolster its protocols for peace and security, the need for sustained regional cooperation is greater than ever.