Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have strongly condemned recent coup attempts in Guinea-Bissau and Benin, warning that such actions pose a serious risk to peace and democratic governance across the sub-region.

The position was affirmed during the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the Nigerian State House, with backing from the African Union and the United Nations.

Participants underscored the need for collective vigilance to prevent the spread of unconstitutional changes of government.

ECOWAS leaders commended the swift deployment of the organisation’s standby force to Benin following the December 7 coup attempt, describing the intervention as a clear signal of the bloc’s resolve to defend constitutional order and regional stability.

Nigeria was represented at the summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He joined his counterparts including ECOWAS Chair and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow, Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice President, and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Benin. Guinea-Bissau and Guinea, which remain under ECOWAS suspension, were not represented.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of persistent political instability in West Africa, following a wave of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger between 2020 and 2023.

Recent developments in Benin and Guinea-Bissau have further heightened concerns about democratic backsliding in the region.

Prior to the formal opening, heads of state held extended closed-door consultations to assess emerging threats and regional challenges.

Discussions later resumed behind closed doors, focusing on critical agenda items such as the future of the ECOWAS community, the 2025 annual report on the state of the region, security briefings, mediation efforts and Guinea’s ongoing political transition.