Togo, a country of a little more than 8.5 million people, experienced 14 attacks in 2023, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. These incidents killed a total of 66 people, demonstrating the continuing ability of extremist groups to carry out lethal strikes. Kidnappings by extremist groups in Benin’s north have also surged .

On July 27, a group of unknown militants—strongly suspected to be affiliated with jihadi groups—killed five park rangers in northern Benin. This comes after a similar attack in June that killed seven people and marks a record total of 171 attacks carried out in 2023 alone by violent extremist groups in the West African country of nearly 14 million. The figure marks a massive increase compared to the 71 incidents reported in 2022, and it would have been inconceivable when the country experienced its first attack in 2019.

On July 27, a group of unknown militants—strongly suspected to be affiliated with jihadi groups—killed five park rangers in northern Benin. This comes after a similar attack in June that killed seven people and marks a record total of 171 attacks carried out in 2023 alone by violent extremist groups in the West African country of nearly 14 million. The figure marks a massive increase compared to the 71 incidents reported in 2022, and it would have been inconceivable when the country experienced its first attack in 2019.

Togo, a country of a little more than 8.5 million people, experienced 14 attacks in 2023, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. These incidents killed a total of 66 people, demonstrating the continuing ability of extremist groups to carry out lethal strikes. Kidnappings by extremist groups in Benin’s north have also surged.

Despite sizable interventions by regional states, the current approach to countering violent extremism in coastal West Africa is falling short. If the approach continues without addressing the root causes of extremism—including the systemic exclusion of marginalized ethnic groups, most prominently the Fulani, from society—the situation will continue to deteriorate.

Benin and Togo’s larger neighbor, Ghana, has