"Ecowas West Africa's regional bloc said it had ordered the immediate deployment of elements of its standby force to the country, which has a population of about 14.5 million. Soldiers from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Sierra Leone were being sent to support the government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin, the bloc said in a statement."
"Earlier on Sunday a group of soldiers had launched a mutiny, Benin's interior minister Alassane Seidou said, with the aim of destabilising the state and its institutions. The soldiers had appeared on Benin's state TV to announce the dissolution of the government in the latest of many coups and attempted coups in West Africa. The group, which called itself the Military Committee for Refoundation, announced the removal of the president and all state institutions. Lt Col Pascal Tigri was appointed president of the military committee."
Soldiers launched a mutiny in Benin aiming to destabilise the state and its institutions. The mutineers appeared on state TV, announced dissolution of the government, and called themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, appointing Lt Col Pascal Tigri as head. Security forces and troops loyal to the government quickly mobilised, regained control of the state broadcaster, and thwarted the attempt. President Patrice Talon said the situation was totally under control. Ecowas ordered immediate deployment of its standby force, sending troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Sierra Leone to preserve constitutional order. Nigeria's air force struck targets in Benin under Ecowas protocols, though targets were unclear.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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