The Surge in Terror Attacks and the Need for Regional Cooperation
A significant increase in terror attacks along Africa’s west coast has led several countries to enhance their border security measures. Analysts emphasize the importance of closer coordination with landlocked Sahel states, where these terrorist groups are primarily based.
The Sahel region is a major hotspot for terrorism, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Approximately 51% of global terror-related deaths occur in this region. Two al-Qaeda-linked jihadi groups, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and the so-called Islamic State, are responsible for the surge in terror activities, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These groups have also begun to spread southward, infiltrating countries such as Benin, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana.
In Benin’s northern border towns, attacks on military outposts and civilians have become a constant threat. In April 2025, JNIM militants killed at least 54 soldiers along the shared border with Burkina Faso and Niger. Similarly, Togo has experienced a notable rise in terror attacks.
Why the Coast?
The long stretch of coastal West Africa serves as a corridor for terror groups to escape military offensives. It is also a vital trade artery and gateway into landlocked countries, playing a crucial role in European shipping lines. Additionally, the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex of protected lands and parks, which spans Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger and borders Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria, provides a “safe buffer” for terrorists. This area also serves as a hub for smuggling and other illicit economic activities.
Groups like JNIM are entrenched in the large expanse of the forest from which they launch attacks along the Benin-Niger border. James Barnett, a research fellow at the Hudson Institute, explained that JNIM’s initial activity in Benin was related to its operations in Burkina Faso, serving as a means to expand and encircle the country further. He added that terrorist groups have also tapped into illicit economies in the region and attempted to recruit locals.
A Domino Effect
In recent years, Sahel-based terrorists have moved southwards into largely ungoverned spaces in West Africa. These areas harbor strategic minerals and materials such as timber, which have become sources of terrorism financing across the corridor. Oluwole Ojewale, a researcher at the Dakar-based Institute for Security Studies, highlighted that the northern regions of many coastal countries are sparsely populated and underdeveloped. Terror groups often exploit young people’s frustration and a sense of neglect in these regions.
These areas continue to serve as a strategic hub for terrorist groups. 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 created a gap that allows violence to spill over from the Sahel to the coast. Ojewale noted that this mistrust has made it easier for terrorist groups to spread their influence into coastal states.
A Lot of Mistrust to Be Overcome
Individual coastal countries have initiated various efforts to deploy security forces and ensure border control in their fragile northern territories. For example, Benin has deployed around 3,000 soldiers along its border with Burkina Faso and Chad to prevent incursions. Some coastal countries have also entered into bilateral security deals. Earlier this year, Benin and Nigeria agreed to work together to strengthen border security.
According to Barnett, resources and logistics alone are not sufficient to stem the spillover of terrorism. Coastal and Sahel states must overcome their mistrust and share intelligence, as threats vary across different countries. There is still a lot of mistrust in the region, even between some of the states, and building adequate trust and political will to collaborate remains a challenge.
Socioeconomic Initiatives Are Imperative
Incorporating socioeconomic initiatives alongside security responses is essential. Cote d’Ivoire has launched various social projects to alleviate poverty and youth unemployment while building trust between the military and communities. Barnett emphasized that the state should not only sporadically police the region but also address socioeconomic concerns and act as a partner in responding to community needs.