ECOWAS must avoid ‘knee-jerk deployments’ in Benin – Antwi-Danso

Professor Vladmir Antwi-Danso, an expert in international relations, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to exercise caution.

He cautioned against rushed or reactionary military interventions following the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin.

His statements follow reports on Sunday, December 7, 2025, that elements within the Benin Armed Forces attempted to overthrow President Patrice Talon. According to information confirmed by the French Embassy in Benin, heavy gunfire was heard near the president’s residence in Cotonou as the soldiers reportedly announced the suspension of the constitution and ordered the closure of the country’s borders and airspace.

In an immediate response to the development, ECOWAS announced later that same day that it had activated and deployed its Standby Force to Benin to help preserve constitutional order and protect the nation’s territorial integrity. The decision, however, has sparked debate among analysts who say the bloc must apply caution in such sensitive political situations.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Sunday, which was monitored closely by this portal, Prof. Antwi-Danso said the regional organisation risks endangering both the mission and citizens of troop-contributing countries if it continues to deploy military forces without adequate intelligence and strategic planning.

“ECOWAS is always having a knee-jerk reaction,” he remarked. “When a situation like this happens, intelligence is very important. You need to understand the environment before acting. If any of the troops that have just been rushed to Benin include a Ghanaian contingent, and there are casualties, the repercussions back home will be very bad.”

The governance and security analyst stressed that while ECOWAS has an obligation to defend democracy in the region, the bloc must be guided by comprehensive situational assessments, not speed. He explained that poorly planned interventions could escalate tensions or worsen internal instability in the affected country.

Prof. Antwi-Danso advised ECOWAS to strengthen its reliance on preventive diplomacy, intelligence gathering, mediation, and coordinated regional engagement rather than immediately deploying armed forces at the onset of unrest.

“We must look at what we can do to curb the situation rather than rushing our soldiers there,” he emphasised.

He further argued that West Africa’s recent history of coups demands a smarter, more calculated regional response—not only to protect democratic governance but also to safeguard the lives of citizens and security personnel across member states.

The attempted coup in Benin adds to a growing list of political upheavals in West Africa in recent years, heightening calls for ECOWAS to adopt more robust early-warning systems and consistent diplomatic engagement with member countries.

Prof. Antwi-Danso reiterated that the stability of the region depends on prudent decision-making, insisting that military intervention should always be a last resort, not a reflex.