Terrorist Activity in the North of Benin Is Growing Amid Tensions with Neighboring Juntas

Terrorist activity is on the rise in northern districts of Benin, which is attributed to the destabilization of the situation in the region after the military regimes came to power in Niger and Burkina Faso.

Benin’s authorities accuse the military juntas of neighboring countries of cooperating with terrorist groups in order to strengthen their influence in the region. Of particular concern is the situation on common borders, where there is a lack of effective coordination of security efforts.

After the coups in Burkina Faso in 2022 and in Niger in 2023, the countries were led by military governments. Tensions with Benin increased after it supported sanctions and political pressure initiated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the new regimes.

In response, Niamey and Ouagadougou accuse Benin of cooperating with Western powers, in particular, of the deployment of their military bases, which, according to the juntas, threaten their stability.

The deterioration of interstate relations creates a favorable environment for terrorist organizations that intensify their activities and attract new followers in border regions.

For Information: According to official data, in 2021–2024, more than 120 Beninese military servicemen were killed by militants. In the last four months of this year alone, the losses amounted to at least 85 people.