Ghana Deploys Troops for ECOWAS Mission in Benin After Coup
Ghana has begun preparations to deploy its contingent to the ECOWAS Standby Force mission in Benin, following the attempted coup d’état in Cotonou on Sunday, JoyNews reported.
The deployment follows a directive from the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government ordering an immediate dispatch of standby troops to the Republic of Benin.
In a statement released on December 7, 2025, the sub‑regional body cited Article 25(e) of the 1999 ECOWAS Protocol on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, and confirmed that the force will include troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
According to the communiqué issued in Abuja, the mission’s mandate is to support the Beninese government and its republican army in preserving constitutional order and safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
Ghana’s Ministry of Defence is already finalising its quota of personnel for the stabilisation effort. While the exact number has not been disclosed, JoyNews projects that Ghana’s contribution will not exceed one hundred soldiers.
“We are committed to the ECOWAS decision and will ensure that our troops are adequately prepared to assist Benin in restoring constitutional order,” said Col. Kofi Mensah, spokesperson for the Ghana Armed Forces.
ECOWAS disclosed in September that it plans to field 1,650 standby personnel in 2026 as part of a renewed sub‑regional counter‑terrorism initiative, signalling a broader security push across West Africa.
Benin’s authorities have recently reported that 54 soldiers were killed in an attack by an al‑Qaeda affiliated group, underscoring the volatile security environment that the standby force aims to stabilise.
Ghanaian officials have indicated that the deployment will be coordinated closely with ECOWAS headquarters and the governments of the contributing member states, with an expected arrival in Benin within the next two weeks.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as the mission progresses.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
