Links between violent extremism and illicit activities in Benin

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines how violent extremist groups, specifically JNIM and ISGS, exploit illicit activities in northern Benin to secure financial, logistical, and human resources. It documents established links to fuel smuggling, illegal hunting, and drug trafficking, while identifying emerging risks associated with artisanal gold mining and arms trafficking.

• Violent extremist groups in Benin exploit a combination of border disputes, frustrations over national park conservation measures, and existing illicit economies to recruit members and acquire operational resources.
• In exchange for allowing Beninese hunters to operate in Arly National Park, extremist groups require hunters to convert to Islam and provide essential supplies such as rice, oil, and poached meat.
• Extremist groups are involved in the trafficking of cannabis between Matéri and Kourou-Koualou, often utilizing women to transport the drugs disguised as 'moringa'.
• Artisanal gold mining sites in the Atacora department, particularly in Kouatena, are identified as high-risk areas for extremist infiltration due to the presence of vulnerable people and the use of explosives that can be repurposed for IEDs.
• Violent extremist groups obtain arms and ammunition through both the raiding of security posts and illicit trafficking networks involving routes from Cotonou and Ghana.
• The security situation in northern Benin has deteriorated significantly, with incidents increasing from one in 2019 to over 20 in 2022 and at least 15 in 2023.
• The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) are the primary armed groups attributed to security incidents in northern Benin.

APA

Abatan, J. E. A., & Assanvo, W. (2023). Links between violent extremism and illicit activities in Benin. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Eng-WAR-42.pdf

Chicago

Abatan, Jeannine Ella A, and William Assanvo. Links between violent extremism and illicit activities in Benin. Institute for Security Studies, 2023. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Eng-WAR-42.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Abatan |first1=Jeannine Ella A |last2=Assanvo |first2=William |title=Links between violent extremism and illicit activities in Benin |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=June 2023 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Eng-WAR-42.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{abatan2023links, author = {Abatan, Jeannine Ella A and Assanvo, William}, title = {{Links between violent extremism and illicit activities in Benin}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Eng-WAR-42.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }