Jihadist Activity in Littoral West Africa

October 2023

Dear Readers,

We're following the spread of jihadism from the Sahel to the northern areas of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, often called Littoral West Africa. This is important because some think it's an expansion of the Sahel crisis into new areas—specifically countries with denser populations and stronger economies those in the Sahel.

In October, two jihadist attacks and an armed clash with defense and security forces in Benin resulted in at least one death and three kidnappings. Responding to the increased insecurity, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory for visiting or working in Benin.

In Togo, two jihadist attacks resulted in at least six deaths. The Togolese Armed Forces also carried out an airstrike against jihadist positions in Burkina Faso.

In Ghana, defense and security forces arrested armed militants in Upper East Region. We're also concerned about border tensions with neighboring Burkina Faso. This month, residents in northern Ghana denounced the disappearance of seven Ghanaian citizens in Burkina Faso, blaming the Burkinabè security forces.

Burkinabè security forces detained two gendarmes from Côte d'Ivoire who had crossed into Burkina Faso while chasing artisanal gold miners. They are still in captivity, and negotiations are underway between both countries for their release and on broader border issues.

This month's cross-border incidents between Burkina Faso and Ghana and between Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire underscore the trans-border nature not just of the jihadist groups but the populations and their economic activities. There is a need for better coordination and communications at the local level involving the countries' security forces and population groups. Deteriorating relations will negatively affect the countries' ability to counter the spread of jihadism. 

The security situation in the northern areas of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo is not yet significantly affecting investment in the region. However, a southward jihadist expansion toward the countries' population centers and business hubs would affect investment and operations. Investors must remain aware of the countries' governments' military and socio-political response to jihadism and violence in their northern regions to anticipate possible future disruptions.

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