COTONOU, Benin — This week, militants launched a significant attack on a fortified military installation in northern Benin, resulting in substantial casualties among the armed forces, according to official reports. This incident has heightened worries among experts regarding the infiltration of jihadist groups into the coastal nations of West Africa.
Colonel Faizou Gomina, who is the chief of staff for the national guard, confirmed the assault transpired on Wednesday, expressing his condolences to the victims. However, he did not disclose details about the attackers or the specific number of casualties experienced.
“We have been dealt a severe blow, but we will not be defeated,” he remarked in his statement.
Although no organization has claimed responsibility for the assault, Benin has been grappling with increasing cross-border violence stemming from Sahel neighbors such as Burkina Faso and Niger, where ongoing conflicts with Islamic extremist groups have been prevalent.
The region where the attack unfolded is recognized as a hotspot for extremist activity, particularly in the vicinity of the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, a vast national park that spans across the three countries. This area has become a launching pad for militant cross-border assaults.
The recent attack is reportedly linked to the al-Qaida-affiliated JNIM jihadi group, which is actively engaged in violent confrontations with Beninese security forces, according to Kars de Bruijne, a renowned security analyst associated with the Clingendael Institute. He further noted, “[The attack] indicates an infiltration and expansion of JNIM into Benin.”
Moreover, the incident has raised alarm about the efficacy of cooperative security measures in West Africa. The regional organization known as ECOWAS has encountered challenges recently, notably with the withdrawal of three nations—Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—that have experienced coups and are embroiled in conflict. This development, analysts suggest, complicates efforts to establish effective regional security initiatives.
The JNIM organization stands out as one of the most active jihadist factions in Africa’s Sahel region, with experts wary of its ambitions to extend its influence into more secure coastal West African nations like Benin and Togo. Such expansions are viewed as strategic moves to create havens for regrouping, securing financing, and acquiring weapons.
