As violent extremism increases across the Sahel and spreads south into West Africa’s littoral states, illicit economies are sustaining terror groups’ operations and finances. In southern Mali, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) is exploiting opportunities for timber logging, cattle rustling and illicit taxation. In northern Benin, the group uses various types of kidnapping – primarily for strategic rather than financial gains.
This seminar explores the different but often overlapping objectives of violent extremist groups involved in illicit economies.
Simultaneous English-French interpretation will be provided.
Moderator: Dr Feyi Ogunade, Regional Organised Crime Observatory Coordinator – West Africa, ENACT, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
Opening remarks: Representatives of ECOWAS and the European Union
Panelists:
- Nanténé Seck Coulibaly, Senior Analyst, Crime and Criminality, Early Warning Directorate, ECOWAS Commission (TBC)
- Flore Berger, Senior Analyst, Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime (GITOC)
- Dr Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Senior Researcher and Project Coordinator, ENACT, ISS
- Dr Aziz Mossi, Researcher, University of Parakou and LASDEL, Benin
Image: AUDU MARTE/AFP
