Members of civilian militias gather in Zagtouli, Burkina Faso, Feb. 14, 2021. (Photo: Henry Wilkins/VOA)
Self-defense groups have proliferated across West Africa. While they are often considered important for community security, their spread raises important questions and concerns about state capacity to control and monopolize violence. Developing regional principles of self-defense, growing community and state oversight of civil defense groups, and elaborating demobilization programs to ensure lasting peace would help to build more effective frameworks to mitigate the risks and harness the benefits of self-defense groups.
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Security Topics: Combating Organized Crime Irregular and Asymmetric Warfare