LocationsPreventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor
Project Summary
The security situation in the Sahel continues to deteriorate, leading to a high civilian casualty rate, death, displacement, and burgeoning humanitarian crises. The 2023 Global Terrorism Index indicates that the Sahel region is now the epicentre of global terrorism, constituting nearly half (43%) of the global death toll from terror-related attacks. During Ghana's Chairmanship of ECOWAS in 2017, a group of states adopted the Accra Initiative (AI), which aims to prevent the spillover of terrorism from the Sahel in countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso and to address transnational organised crime and violent extremism in member countries' border areas. The AI fills a gap in existing mechanisms to mitigate growing insecurity, yet the scale of the tasks involved means extra financial resources are required to fulfil its mandate. The project runs from March 2024 to March 2025, with a budget of USD 507,004.
Objectives
Through research, dialogue, and capacity building, the project supports the efficient implementation of the AI in seven signatory states Ghana, Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and Nigeria as an observer state. The project conducts research, develops training packages, organises a multi-national policy dialogue, and delivers two capacity-building interventions. Learning from Japan's strategy and experience on the effective implementation of multistakeholder initiatives such as the AI is central to the project.
Strengthening Regional Security Through the Accra Initiative
The project engages 85 personnel from both state and non-state actors who will receive new skills and knowledge and build community resilience to reduce threats to peace and security. The capacity of member states and civil society to tackle peace and security threats, including violent extremism, will be strengthened, and collaboration increased. The project will also continue to build upon and deepen awareness of the Accra Initiative and support the cross-sharing and fertilisation of ideas, experiences, and technical assistance.
Expected Results
- Output 1: Improved knowledge, including awareness of the Accra Initiative, and strengthened collaboration and cooperation among security personnel and civil society in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism in the 8 AI-targeted countries.
- Output 2: Improved engagement between the Accra Initiative, policymakers, and community members on enhancing community security initiatives.
