The countries bordering the Sahel states to the south — Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo — are investing heavily in securing their northern border regions against direct attacks and the social influence of JNIM and other groups.
According to Palacios, countries in West Africa must fend off terrorist incursions using more than just firepower.
“Counterterrorism in West Africa has not been successful, partially because counterterrorism operations are not countering all the terrorist groups’ operations and strategies — especially not the non-kinetic operations and strategies,” Palacios wrote. “The countering of JNIM’s civilian engagement strategy involves both development and security.”
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