Preventing Violent Extremism in Coastal West Africa: Lessons Learned on the Role of Defense and Security Forces

Academic Program

Cotonou, Benin
May 13–15, 2025

Information Note
Schedule
Biographies
Africa Center Overview

Session 1 | May 13, 2025

Implementing a Multistakeholder Approach to P/CVE

Objectives:

  • Discuss the key principles of a community-centered approach: and its applicability to preventing and countering violent extremism in Coastal West Africa (CWA).
  • Provide context-based insights into the strategies of implementing a multistakeholder approach to preventing and countering violent extremism in CWA.
  • Share the main lessons learned and progress made by operationalizing mechanisms, policies and programs designed to facilitate cooperation between defense and security actors, local authorities, and civilian populations in CWA to prevent and counter violent extremism.

Presented by:

  • Ms. Anne Bennett
  • Mr. Yannick Botehousse Legba
  • Major General (Ret.) Dadja Maganawe

Moderator:

  • Mr. Idriss Mounir Lallali
Session 2 | May 13, 2025

Redefining the Principles under which DSF Operate

Objectives:

  • Discuss the progress made in embedding community-centered security principles in public defense and security policies in CWA.
  • Discuss the degree of integration of community-centered security principles into the doctrines, mandates and training of DSF.
  • Discuss lessons learned to date on the most promising community-centered security practices of DSF.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Lassina Diarra
  • General (Ret.) Francis Aadu-Amanfoh

Moderator:

  • Dr. Anouar Boukhars
Session 3 | May 14, 2025

Military: Operationalizing the Strategy and Execution of PCS Operations

Objectives:

  • Discuss military contributions to prevent violent extremism.
  • Share specific successful initiatives of interagency coordination between the military, law enforcement and public authorities in relation to preventing and countering violent extremism in CWA.
  • Share good practices in operationalizing defense policies and programs designed to facilitate information sharing and coordination between military and local communities in CWA.

Presented by:

  • Brigadier General Jean Christophe Mouho
  • COL Mossoumbou Akpeli
  • Ms. Ella Jeannine Abatan

Moderator:

  • Mr. Dean Bland
Session 4 | May 14, 2025

Law Enforcement Agencies: Bridging the Strategy-Execution Gap

Objectives:

  • Discuss lessons learned to date on the most promising community-centered security practices of police and law enforcement agencies in CWA.
  • Discuss the role that the police and law enforcement agencies play in facilitating inter-agency coordination in relation to responding to violent extremism, especially at the local level.
  • Highlight effective examples of existing mechanisms, measures and arrangements through which law enforcement actors can effectively liaise with civilian populations to address violent extremism.

Presented by:

  • General (Ret.) Amêyi Célestin Guidimey
  • Colonel Amon Koutoua Benoit

Moderator:

  • Dr. Daisy Muibu
Session 5 | May 14, 2025

Intelligence Coordination and Information Sharing

Objectives:

  • Discuss shared experiences, challenges and gaps in operating fusion centers in CWA.
  • Discuss lessons learned from fostering interagency collaboration between the military, law enforcement and border security actors.
  • Share best practices in developing trust between defense and security forces, fusion centers, and the communities they serve.

Presented by:

  • Mr. Youssouf Fofana
  • Brigadier General Tim Ba-Taa-Banah
  • Mr. Yawo Seyram Adiakpo

Moderator:

  • Dr. Emmanuel Pouyi
Session 6 | May 15, 2025

Mechanisms for Institutionalizing Lessons Learned

Objectives:

  • Identify courses of action to enhance cooperation and coordination between security actors, relevant sector-based ministries, local authorities, and local communities in the implementation of more effective interventions to address violent extremism.
  • Identify courses of action to enhance the will, skills, and capacities of defense and security actors operating on the front line to build trust and foster cooperation with local communities.

Presented by:

  • Mr. Mohamadou Savadogo
  • Dr. Emile Ouedraogo

Moderator:

  • Dr. Daisy Muibu