Littoral West Africa Security Incidents - March 2023
Monitoring security and stability in northern Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin
14 North is actively monitoring Littoral West Africa, specifically the northern regions of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, to assess the impact of rising insecurity on stability and investment risks in the region. Through our on-the-ground network and analysis of open-source information, we observed multiple violent incidents in March 2023 that indicate a growing threat of jihadism spillover from the Sahel. These included:
Four incidents in Benin, including clashes that resulted in five deaths and several wounded.
Destruction of five vehicles in Côte d’Ivoire.
Escalating tension between the Mamprusi and Kusasi in Ghana that resulted in casualties, economic decline, and jihadist threats.
Six violent incidents in Togo, including attacks against defense and security forces, mine explosions, internal displacement, and civilian casualties.
International Jihadist Groups
During an interview with Wassim Nasir on France24, Algerian jihadist Abu Obeida Youssef al-Aanabi, the current leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), described the Sahel as an epicenter and indicated that it planned to expand to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
International and Regional Security
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire hosted the 2023 edition of the U.S. military’s Flintlock, an annual military exercise that has taken place since 2005. Flintlock 2023 addressed the increasing jihadist threat to West African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin – which primarily comes from extremist groups operating in the Sahel region. The Flintlock exercise focused on enhancing the capacity of participating forces to conduct counterterrorism operations, gather and share intelligence, and secure their borders against cross-border threats.
Recently, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pledged to strengthen the security partnership between the U.S. and Ghana to counter emerging threats and promote regional stability. She pledged a security assistance package totaling over US$ 100 million to support Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin.
Noteworthy Reading
ACAPS published a briefing note titled “Displacement from Burkina Faso to Cote d’Ivoire,” which outlines the recent influx of refugees from Burkina Faso into Cote d’Ivoire due to the escalating conflict in the Sahel region. The report highlighted the key drivers of displacement, such as inter-communal conflict, attacks by non-state armed groups, and the security situation in Burkina Faso. The briefing note raised significant issues related to the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region, including the urgent need for increased support for the affected communities and a coordinated international response to address the root causes of the conflict. It also highlighted the importance of protecting the rights and safety of refugees and ensuring their access to essential services, such as healthcare and education.
Global Voices published an article by Arnauld Kassouin titled “Benin national park becomes insurgent group safe haven.” It explored the transformation of the Pendjari National Park in Benin, once a hub of wildlife and tourism, into a safe haven for insurgent groups. He also provided insight into the impact of the insurgent groups’ activities on the local community and the economy. Kassouin’s article highlighted the growing threat of insurgent groups in West Africa and the need for urgent action to address the security challenges in the region. The article underscored the need for effective governance and international collaboration to address the security and environmental challenges facing West Africa.