Security Council Reports Ongoing Political Upheaval and Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel Region
Recent political turmoil in Benin and Guinea-Bissau has highlighted the ongoing instability in West Africa, a region already grappling with violent extremism. During a Security Council meeting, Barrie Freeman, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among regional organizations to tackle these pressing challenges. She pointed to recent events that underscore both the fragility and resilience of the region, urging a unified approach to governance and security.
Political Instability in Benin and Guinea-Bissau
The political landscape in Benin and Guinea-Bissau has been marked by significant upheaval. On December 7, Benin’s national security forces, with assistance from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), successfully thwarted an attempted coup. Military officers had attempted to seize power, citing grievances related to deteriorating security conditions, the management of the Armed Forces, and restrictions on political activities. In Guinea-Bissau, a military takeover on November 26 disrupted the presidential election results, leading to a wave of arrests and an increase in divisive rhetoric and online hate speech. These developments have raised alarms about the potential for further instability in the region.
Concerns Over Governance and Elections
Freeman also highlighted concerns regarding governance in Côte d’Ivoire, where major opposition figures were excluded from the October presidential elections. This exclusion has prompted the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to collaborate with ECOWAS and the African Union to promote dialogue and peaceful electoral processes. Freeman noted that governance reforms perceived as exclusionary can undermine legitimacy and fuel public discontent. She referenced a recent ECOWAS summit on December 14, where leaders agreed on a short, inclusive transition plan for Guinea-Bissau and warned that targeted sanctions would be imposed on anyone obstructing this process.
Security Challenges in the Sahel
The Sahel region continues to be a hotspot for violent extremism, with groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin disrupting trade routes in Mali. This disruption has severely impacted the supply of essential goods to Bamako, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Over 3,300 refugees have fled to Mauritania due to clashes between extremist groups and the Malian Armed Forces, putting immense pressure on local resources. Additionally, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province have intensified their attacks in the Lake Chad Basin, while the Lakurawa group in northwestern Nigeria poses further challenges to the Nigerian Armed Forces’ ability to maintain security.
Addressing the Link Between Terrorism and Organized Crime
Freeman pointed out the growing connection between terrorism and organized crime in the region, calling for new initiatives to address these shared threats. Angola, as Chair of the African Union, has encouraged regional cooperation, while ECOWAS leaders have engaged with members of the Alliance of Sahel States—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—to foster dialogue. Despite the fragile rapprochement between Sahelian and ECOWAS states, Freeman urged the Security Council to consider predictable financing for the Sahel. She emphasized that persistent poverty, high debt burdens, and joblessness expose the region’s structural economic weaknesses, which must be addressed to foster stability and security.
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