Tinubu, ECOWAS Leaders Hold Emergency Talks in Abuja Over Benin Coup Attempt
West African presidents meet amid rising insecurity and democratic setbacks
Benin, Guinea-Bissau tensions add to region’s recent history of military takeovers
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday met with leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja to discuss the recent attempted coup in Benin Republic and the growing security challenges facing the sub-region.
The meeting, the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, is taking place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Among the leaders present are President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, who currently serves as ECOWAS Chairman, President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde and President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire.
Also attending are Presidents Adama Barrow of The Gambia, John Mahama of Ghana, Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, Bassirou Faye of Senegal and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
The high-level talks are coming at a critical time for West Africa, which has experienced a wave of political instability over the past five years. The region has witnessed military coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, two coups in Burkina Faso in 2022, and another takeover in Niger in 2023.
Recent developments have further heightened concerns, including an attempted coup in Benin Republic on December 7, 2025, as well as renewed political tension and instability in Guinea-Bissau.
As of the time of filing this report, official details of the discussions and possible resolutions from the meeting had not been made public.
