Resolution 405 (1977) of 14 April 1977
The Security Council,
Having considered the report of the Security Council Special Mission to the People's Republic of Benin established
under resolution 404 (1977) of 8 February 1977,
Gravely concerned at the violation of the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the State of
Benin,
Deeply grieved at the loss of life and substantial damage to property caused by the invading force during its
attack on Cotonou on 16 January 1977,
1. Takes note of the report of the Special Mission and expresses its appreciation for the work accomplished;
2. Strongly condemns the act of armed aggression perpetrated against the People's Republic of Benin on 16 January
1977;
3. Reaffirms its resolution 239 (1967) of 10 July 1967, by which, inter alia, it condemns any State which persists
in permitting or tolerating the recruitment of mercenaries and the provision of facilities to them, with the
objective of overthrowing the Governments of Member States;
4. Calls upon all States to exercise the utmost vigilance against the danger posed by international mercenaries
and to ensure that their territory and other territories under their control, as well as their nationals, are not
used for the planning of subversion and recruitment, training and transit of mercenaries designed to overthrow the
Government of any Member State;
5. Further calls upon all States to consider taking necessary measures to prohibit, under their respective domestic
laws, the recruitment, training and transit of mercenaries on their territory and other territories under their
control;
6. Condemns all forms of external interference in the internal affairs of Member States, including the use of
international mercenaries to destabilize States and/or to violate their territorial integrity, sovereignty and
independence;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide appropriate technical assistance to help the Government of Benin in
assessing and evaluating the damage resulting from the act of armed aggression committed at Cotonou on 16 January
1977;
8. Appeals to all States to provide material assistance to the People's Republic of Benin in order to enable it to
repair the damage and losses inflicted during the attack;
9. Notes that the Government of Benin has reserved its right with respect to any eventual claims for compensation
which it may wish to assert;
10. Calls upon all Slates to provide the Security Council with any information they might have in connexion with
the events at Cotonou on 16 January 1977 likely to throw further light on those events;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to follow closely the implementation of the present resolution;
12. Decides to remain seized of this question.
Adopted at the 2005th meeting by consensus.