(New York, N.Y.) – The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) have released a new policy paper, Countering Extremism in West Africa: What Options Are Left?, warning that extremist violence and political instability in West Africa are reaching a tipping point.
Authors Nina Wilén and Kwesi Aning detail how West Africa is currently witnessing two mutually reinforcing political and security trends. First, an increasingly rapid expansion of Islamist-terrorist groups across the Sahel region, specifically an al-Qaeda affiliated coalition, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), and the Sahel province of the Islamic State (ISIS). Second, a coup wave that has toppled seven governments and regimes during the past four years in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, and Gabon.
The authors address options for responses to the deteriorating situation by examining the current security and political context, exploring previous and contemporary regional responses, and identifying lessons learned for future initiatives.
Nina Wilén said:
"If the EU is to stay engaged in West Africa, it needs to better assess the absorption capacity of the different institutions it is dealing with, while avoiding overwhelming partner states with a too visible presence, as it could create a backlash against Western actors.”
Kwesi Aning said:
“Western interventions have failed to stabilize the Sahel because they overlook the root causes of instability—like food insecurity, poor governance, and lack of opportunity. Without local ownership and political engagement, military solutions alone are destined to fall short.”
The policy paper concludes that the increasingly intricate landscape in West Africa necessitates a recalibrated approach to countering extremism. Sustainable security strategies must come from within and engage local communities, in collaboration with national and regional actors.
To read Countering Extremism in West Africa: What Options Are Left?, please click here.
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