On May 16, 2025, the Benin Chapter of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies Alumni Association (ABECESA), in collaboration with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, hosted a high-level national symposium in Cotonou under the theme: “Preventing Violent Extremism in Benin: Collaboration Between Defense and Security Forces (DSF) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO).”
This symposium followed a regional roundtable on the prevention of violent extremism in West Africa’s coastal countries, co-organized earlier in the same week by the Africa Center and the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre (AUCTC). Drawing from the insights of that regional forum, the Benin symposium focused on translating lessons learned into concrete strategies tailored to the country’s specific security context.
The event convened over 60 national stakeholders—including ACSS alumni, defense and security officials, civil society leaders, government institutions, academics, international partners, and representatives of the U.S. Government—offering a dynamic platform for dialogue, strategy-sharing, and coordinated action.
A Platform for Localized Solutions
Two expert panels addressed the urgent need for a whole-of-society approach to violent extremism prevention, one that is grounded in trust-building, civic engagement, and coordinated security efforts. Panelists from the Benin Armed Forces, Customs, Border Management Agency, Forest Services, and national commissions on small arms and radicalization shared their perspectives on operational challenges, especially in forested and border regions that are particularly vulnerable.
CSO leaders highlighted their extensive roles in awareness campaigns, early warning, youth engagement, and community mediation. They emphasized the need for formal collaboration mechanisms, capacity building, and recognition as partners in national security efforts.
Key Recommendations for Action
The symposium concluded with a series of actionable recommendations to strengthen national resilience and cross-sector coordination:
- Establish formal frameworks for DSF–CSO collaboration
- Expand training for CSOs on security dynamics and violent extremism
- Foster joint initiatives in high-risk zones, particularly forests and border communities
- Strengthen grassroots early warning systems
- Scale up inclusive public awareness efforts, especially among vulnerable groups
- Promote responsible media engagement to counter extremist narratives
- Enhance the participation of youth, women, and traditional leaders in prevention efforts
- Integrate environmental governance into peace and security strategies
These recommendations reflect a broad consensus on the importance of inclusive, community-driven approaches that reinforce state legitimacy and societal trust in government.
Conclusion: Building on Regional Momentum
By building on the foundation laid by the Africa Center–AUCTC regional roundtable, the Benin alumni symposium advanced the conversation on national strategies to counter terrorism and violent extremism. It underscored the pivotal role of civil society and the necessity of a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response to evolving security threats.
As Benin confronts the complex realities of militant Islamist group activities domestically and in the region, this symposium marked a significant step forward in developing integrated solutions—and reaffirmed the commitment of national actors to working together in the pursuit of peace and resilience.