The ECOWAS Parliament’s resolutions on Benin’s political crisis
Meeting in Abuja from 1 to 13 December 2025 for its second ordinary session of the year, the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States adopted a firm resolution condemning the attempted coup that took place in Benin on 7 December 2025.
The regional institution reaffirmed its support for Benin’s constitutional government, while stressing the need for an inclusive political dialogue to prevent any lasting crisis.
Adopted on 12 December under reference ECW/PARL/RES.016/DEC/2025, the resolution calls on the Beninese government and all republican institutions to engage in a broad political dialogue with all national stakeholders.
The stated objective is to calm the political climate and reduce the risk of further breaches of the constitutional order.
Community parliamentarians believe that democratic consolidation in Benin requires an inclusive and consensual electoral process, in line with regional commitments. They recall, in this regard, the importance of respecting ECOWAS’s 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which prohibits any unconstitutional seizure of power and encourages equitable participation by political actors.
For the ECOWAS Parliament, the response to attempts at destabilization cannot be solely security-based. It must be accompanied by sustained political efforts aimed at strengthening trust among actors, the inclusiveness of the political process, and the credibility of electoral institutions.
The resolution finally assigns to the ECOWAS Commission the task of monitoring developments in Benin and regularly reporting on actions taken in support of democracy.
The text will be transmitted to Beninese authorities as well as to the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the regional organization.
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