Diplomatic tensions between Benin and its Sahel neighbors, Niger and Burkina Faso, have created a security vacuum that jihadist groups are increasingly exploiting. North Benin, which borders both countries, has witnessed a surge in deadly attacks targeting military positions, with the most significant being an assault last week that killed 54 soldiers. The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), marking the deadliest assault in the region in recent memory.
The Beninese government blames these attacks on spillover from the jihadist insurgencies in Niger and Burkina Faso, both of which are governed by military juntas. These juntas, having seized power in recent coups, vowed to eradicate the jihadist threat in the Sahel. However, diplomatic relations between Benin and these countries have soured, with accusations that Benin is hosting Western military bases, a claim the Beninese government denies. This lack of cooperation has exacerbated the security situation, with jihadist groups finding safe havens along the porous borders.
Experts warn that without improved regional cooperation, the situation will remain dire. Emmanuel Odilon Koukoubou, a political scientist in Benin, noted that the country is facing a security crisis due to the absence of collaborative efforts with neighboring states. The uncoordinated approach has allowed groups like JNIM to strengthen their foothold in areas like the W and Pendjari national parks, which provide cover for their operations.
The Sahel region, which includes Niger and Burkina Faso, has become a global epicenter of terrorism. The Global Terrorism Index placed Burkina Faso at the top of its list of countries most affected by terrorism in 2024, with Niger ranking fifth. Analysts suggest that JNIM’s expanding presence in northern Benin aims to encircle Burkina Faso and increase its influence in the region.
Despite efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen regional cooperation, the fractured political landscape, marked by the junta-led countries’ exit from the bloc, complicates the fight against jihadism. Benin’s government faces the daunting challenge of countering this threat, which requires both military and social strategies to prevent further radicalization.
