How is Benin addressing the recent attack by JNIM
Introduction
The recent attack by Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wa al Muslimeen (JNIM) on January 8, 2025, has been the deadliest assault on Beninese forces to date, resulting in at least 28 soldiers killed at the Point Triple security post in Benin’s Park W. This attack highlights the growing security challenges Benin faces from jihadist groups expanding their operations in the region. In response to this attack and the overall increasing threat, Benin has taken several measures:
Military Response
Beninese forces defended the base after several hours of fighting and launched counterattacks in the following days.
The government has intensified its military operations, particularly through Operation Mirador, which was launched in January 2022 to secure Benin’s borders.
An additional 5,000 troops were recruited in 2023, with 2,000 of them deployed to the theaters at the beginning of 2024.
Security Force Enhancement
Benin has created new security corps, including a National Guard and a Special Forces Unit.
The country is investing in better training for its security forces (FDS).
International Cooperation
Benin has intensified collaboration with several security partners:
France: As the oldest security partner, France continues to provide support based on long-standing military collaboration accords.
United States: Benin is receiving support through programs such as the US Global Fragility Act (GFA) and the US-German Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM).
Other partners: Belgium and Rwanda have also increased their security cooperation with Benin.
Infrastructure and Technology
The Point Triple base, despite being described as one of the “strongest & most militarized posts” in northern Benin, may have lacked sufficient perimeter defenses. This suggests that Benin might be reassessing and reinforcing its military infrastructure.
The base has substantial detection and prevention infrastructure, including drones and direct independent internet connections for immediate reporting of suspicious activities.
Challenges and Ongoing Concerns
Despite these efforts, Benin continues to face significant challenges:
The attack highlights the strong insurgent support zones across the border in Burkina Faso and Niger, which enable major attacks in northern Benin.
Cross-border military cooperation against JNIM has heavily decreased since the coups in Burkina Faso and Niger in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
There are concerns about human rights violations by security forces in their response to jihadist threats, which could create new grievances for extremist groups to exploit.
Conclusion
As Benin continues to address this recent attack and the broader threat posed by JNIM and other jihadist groups, the country will likely need to balance military responses with efforts to address root causes of instability and improve governance in vulnerable regions.
