Cotonou: Africas Sahel region has become a focal point for terrorism, as highlighted by the latest Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. About 51% of global terror-related deaths are recorded in the Sahel, primarily driven by two al-Qaeda-linked groups expanding their influence.
According to Deutsche Welle, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and the so-called Islamic State groups are behind a wave of terror in the Sahel, particularly affecting Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These organizations are extending their reach southward, infiltrating countries such as Benin, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, and Ghana.
In Benin’s northern border towns, there is a constant threat of attacks on military outposts and civilians. In April 2025, JNIM militants killed at least 54 soldiers along the shared border with Burkina Faso and Niger. Togo has experienced a similar surge in terror attacks.
A crucial factor in this expansion is the coastal corridor of West Africa, which serves as an escape route for terror groups from military offensives. It is also a vital trade artery and gateway into landlocked countries, essential for European shipping lines. The W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex, a collection of protected lands and parks spanning Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger, provides a “safe buffer” for terrorists and facilitates smuggling and illicit economic activities.
JNIM is deeply entrenched in the forested areas along the Benin-Niger border, launching attacks from this strategic position. According to James Barnett, a research fellow at Hudson Institute, JNIM’s activities in Benin were initially connected to operations in Burkina Faso, enabling them to expand and encircle Burkina Faso further. Terror groups have been exploiting illicit economies and recruiting in the region.
The southward movement of Sahel-based terrorists into ungoverned spaces in West Africa has been noticeable in recent years. These areas, which contain strategic minerals and materials like timber, have become sources of terrorism financing. Oluwole Ojewale from the Dakar-based Institute for Security Studies notes that the coastal countries' northern regions are sparsely populated and underdeveloped, providing fertile ground for recruitment by exploiting local youths' frustration and neglect.
The collapse of security cooperation between the Sahel and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has left a gap for violence to spill over from the Sahel to the coast. This mistrust has facilitated the spread of terrorist influence into coastal states.
A wave of initiatives by individual coastal countries aims to bolster border control. Benin has deployed approximately 3,000 soldiers along its border with Burkina Faso and Chad to curb incursions. Additionally, some coastal countries have entered bilateral security agreements; earlier this year, Benin and Nigeria agreed to strengthen border security.
Barnett emphasizes that resources and logistics alone are insufficient to prevent the spillover of terrorism. Coastal and Sahel states need to overcome mistrust and share intelligence in a region where threats vary from country to country. Socioeconomic initiatives should complement security measures. Cote d'Ivoire, for instance, has implemented social projects to alleviate poverty and youth unemployment, building trust between the military and communities.
Efforts to present the state as more than just a policing entity are essential to foster community collaboration and address socioeconomic concerns. This approach aims to build trust and partnership beyond security, ultimately responding to community needs more effectively.