A Regional Risk with Transnational Implications
Amidst a worsening security situation in the Sahel and the increasing occurrence of terrorist incursions in West Africa’s coastal states, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), through its Security Policy Dialogue in West Africa (SIPODI) programme, held a high-level seminar in Lomé. The aim was to analyse the cross-border expansion of terrorist threats and develop concrete recommendations to strengthen the resilience of Benin and Togo.
A Multidisciplinary Exchange
The seminar brought together 20 participants from five West African countries (Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger), including local authorities, parliamentarians, ministries, security forces, judges, academics, civil society, regional experts, and international partners. This diverse group enabled a rich, practice-oriented exchange grounded in field realities.
Seminar Highlights
Day 1 – Understanding Spillover Dynamics
The seminar opened with remarks by Aboubakar Sidik KONÉ (KAS SIPODI) and Dr Tobias RUETTERSHOFF (Head of SIPODI), who emphasized the structural causes of regional vulnerability and the urgency of stronger cross-border cooperation.
Key sessions included:
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Mechanisms of Terrorist Spillover
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State Responses to Infiltration
Group work sessions explored how the threat spreads, the strengths and weaknesses of national responses, and the role of local actors in community resilience.
Day 2 – Strengthening Regional Cooperation
Group presentations highlighted:
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The weak presence of the state in border areas.
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Widespread poverty, lack of social services, and insufficient regional security cooperation.
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Divergences between Togo’s more preventive approach and Benin’s more military-focused strategy.
Expert panels addressed:
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Regional and International Cooperation
→ With insights from Prof. Guillaume MOUMOUNI, Ulf LAESSING (KAS Sahel), and Dr. Kouessi HADONOU, discussing structural limitations of G5 Sahel, ECOWAS, AES and initiatives such as ABEGIEF, CPADD, CRIET, and the Accra Initiative. -
Roundtable on Recommendations
Concrete proposals included:
• Establishment of joint border posts
• Strengthening community-based intelligence
• Recognition of traditional conflict resolution structures (chiefdoms, religious leaders)
• Improved local governance and public communication
Key Takeaways and Way Forward
The seminar made clear that fighting terrorist spillover cannot rely on military strategies alone. An effective response must include:
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Coherent and pragmatic regional cooperation
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Community inclusion in security mechanisms
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Balanced approaches combining security, development, and governance
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Respect for cultural, geographic, and social contexts
The seminar’s findings, along with KAS publications and expert contributions, will inform future advocacy, training, and policy reform within the ECOWAS region.
