ECOWAS confirms deployment of troops regional standby force

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, ordered the immediate deployment of elements of its standby force to Benin Republic, including troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Ghana, while condemning a coup attempt in the country.

The ECOWAS’ move is predicated on its protocol to defend the territorial and sovereignty of member-countries under threat.

A statement released late Sunday by the ECOWAS commission stated that acting in accordance with the 1999 treaty on conflict prevention and resolution, announced that it has drawn up forces from member states, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, to restore the democratic order of the Benin Republic.

The statement reads, “Further to its earlier statement on the Republic of Benin, the ECOWAS Commission hereby informs the general public that:

“1. Pursuant to the provisions of relevant ECOWAS instruments, in particular Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution Peacekeeping and Security, and

The statement reads, “Further to its earlier statement on the Republic of Benin, the ECOWAS Commission hereby informs the general public that:

“2. after consultation among members of the Mediation and Security Council at the level of Heads of State and Government,”

It added, “a. The Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has ordered the deployment of elements of the ECOWAS Standby Force to the Republic of Benin with immediate effect.

“b. The Regional Force shall be made up of troops from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Cote Divoire, and Republic of Ghana.

“c. The Force shall support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”

The ECOWAS had condemned the actions of the “small group” of military men over their attempted takeover of the democratic government in Benin Republic, through a military coup.

It was earlier reported that an ongoing military coup in the Benin Republic, with soldiers announcing that they have toppled the leadership of President Patrice Talon.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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