With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan

Patrice Talon, who has often had himself represented at sub-regional meetings, recently travelled twice to Accra for the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) summit. On January 9, he met one-on-one with his counterparts from Niger, Ghana and Burkina Faso. On January 16, en route to Paris and Brussels, he stopped this time in Abidjan to meet with President Alassane Ouattara.

The two countries, like Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo, belong to the Accra Initiative.

Strengthened military cooperation

Last month, their chiefs of staff met in Accra. This was for the purpose of a joint operation by the armies of the five countries to « dismantle and neutralize armed terrorist groups and organized criminal groups » that operate in common border areas. The operation will be named « Koudanlgou strengthened », after a village in Burkina Faso.

Still in the dynamic of an organized response with neighbours, it is reported that on December 6, the armies of Benin and Togo strengthened their cooperation on the ground and are planning actions at their common borders.

According to a report, jihadist influence could extend to new West African countries

How far could jihadist influence extend in West Africa? A new report from the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) attempts to answer this question. Researcher Mathieu Pellerin describes the progression of jihadists towards coastal states, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Ghana. An extension favoured first by socio-economic factors.

An inexorable progression?

Since 2012, jihadist progression appears inexorable in West Africa, the report writes. Armed groups have extended their influence and operations southward: this is evident in Mali, Burkina and Niger.

However, according to Mathieu Pellerin, coastal countries, Côte d'Ivoire of course, but also Benin, Togo and Ghana, are also in the crosshairs. Northern Ivorian territory is increasingly under attack, launched from Burkina. Benin, initially a source of supply, now faces mounting pressure, with armed operations, preaching in villages, recruitment... Togo has also shifted from logistical zone status to that of theatre of operations.

Finally, in Guinea and Ghana, even though the presence of jihadists there is not yet established, cells are said to be installed near their borders and recruitment exists.

Community « contagion »

This « contagion », as the report writes, is mainly communal. Fragilized populations, victims of injustice and violence, foremost among whom are herders who transport their animals, represent a « fertile ground ». Their stigmatization and economic difficulties make them privileged targets, even if recruiters are also interested in self-defence groups and criminals.

The report highlights the efforts of coastal states in terms of security, cooperation, and local networking. But according to the survey, governments must absolutely combat socio-economic fractures, poverty, and stigmatization if they want to curb the jihadist breakthrough.