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Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Old alliances could bridge west Africa's security cooperation gaps
The politically neutral Conseil de l'Entente could revive urgently needed security partnerships among Sahel and coastal states. Security and economic cooperation in west Africa was dealt a blow by the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) in January. The three countries are governed by coup leaders, and in September 2023 formed an alternative security partnership – the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Pragmatic bilateral cooperation between the AES and other west African countries, such as Senegal and Togo, has taken place, and in May the AES and Ecowas agreed on the need to jointly tackle terrorism. These are positive steps but don't match the benefit of institutional security alliances in a volatile region. Many parts of west Africa are affected by cross-border terrorism, organised crime and localised conflicts between communities in border regions. The Global Terrorism Index 2025 ranks Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger among the world's top five countries most affected by terrorism, and the violence is spreading southwards. This deteriorating security landscape underscores the urgent need to revitalise regional cooperation. Two platforms besides Ecowas could help achieve that: the Accra Initiative and the Conseil de l'Entente. The Accra Initiative includes Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and was created to tackle terrorism and transnational organised crime. It is built on three pillars: joint military operations, intelligence and information sharing, and the training of security and intelligence personnel. However, the initiative has been largely inactive in recent years. Its last joint military operation was in 2021, with no plans for future actions. Activities related to the other two pillars have largely ceased, and member-state representatives stationed at the Executive Secretariat in Accra have returned to their home countries. Several factors have contributed to its inactivity, including dynamics within the organisation. Diplomats interviewed by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) identified mistrust between AES states and their coastal neighbours stemming partly from Ecowas decisions to establish a regional force to counter coups. This was after the overthrows in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger in July 2023. After Niger's coup, Ecowas threatened to intervene militarily to restore constitutional order. In September 2023, relations deteriorated after Niger accused Benin of authorising deployments to restore deposed president Mohamed Bazoum to power. Despite these challenges, cooperation remains essential. ISS research shows that violent extremist groups in the Sahel are using illicit networks that operate through coastal states. Disrupting these resource flows would significantly weaken the groups, offering mutual security benefits for both Sahelian and coastal countries. Given a weakened Ecowas and an inactive Accra Initiative, the Conseil de l'Entente is a promising alternative for renewed collaboration. Based in Abidjan and founded in 1959, the organisation includes nearly all members of the Accra Initiative – excluding Ghana. Mali has observer status. Like the Accra Initiative, the Conseil has three main organs: the Conference of Heads of State and Government, Council of Ministers and Committee of Experts. Its core objectives include promoting peace, security and stability. One of its defining principles is the sovereign equality and independence of member states. Unlike Ecowas, it does not suspend or sanction members following coups or constitutional crises. This politically neutral stance has likely contributed to Burkina Faso and Niger's continued membership, alongside the need for economic integration. Notably, its deputy executive secretary is from Niger. This commitment to neutrality is reinforced by the Conseil de l'Entente's discreet consensus-based diplomatic style. It often engages member states at the highest political levels on sensitive issues while avoiding public pressure. A diplomat told ISS that this approach fosters long-term trust and confidence, ensuring that member states see the organisation as a partner rather than an enforcer. The Conseil has experience in convening regional stakeholders to discuss shared security challenges. Since 2016, it has held annual meetings of security ministers, preceded by expert consultations involving heads of police, gendarmerie and border management agencies. These gatherings have addressed the growing threat of violent extremism in both the Sahel and coastal regions. Beyond national governmental engagement, the organisation has supported knowledge and experience sharing among local government officials, civil society actors and other stakeholders affected by violent extremism. With technical support from the ISS and funding from Switzerland, the Conseil organised regional workshops on preventing violent extremism in Abidjan (2018), Ouagadougou (2019) and Lomé (2023). Given its neutrality and sustained connections with both AES and coastal states, the Conseil is well positioned to initiate mediation that could gradually restore cooperation. Plans along these lines are already under way, alongside ministerial and expert meetings in 2025 to review the implementation of national strategies to prevent violent extremism. There are also ongoing discussions about Ghana potentially joining the organisation. This would create a membership base similar to the Accra Initiative – though with a broader mandate and a different operational approach. Ghanaian representatives, including the current Special Envoy to the AES states, have previously participated in Conseil de l'Entente activities. Burkina Faso and Niger's continued participation in the Conseil suggests a degree of confidence in its neutrality and an openness to renewed dialogue. That means the Conseil is uniquely positioned to facilitate the revival of sustainable regional security cooperation. However, a comprehensive independent assessment of both bilateral relations within the organisation and its institutional capacity to mediate ongoing tensions is essential. The findings could inform the design of targeted support to strengthen the Conseil de l'Entente's role in regional peace and security. DM Sampson Kwarkye, project manager, Littoral West African States, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Regional Office for West Africa and the Sahel.
News18
19-07-2025
- News18
5 TTP terrorists killed in northwest Pakistan
Agency: PTI Peshawar, Jul 19 (PTI) At least five terrorists of the outlawed TTP were killed and two injured in an operation carried out by security forces in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, according to the police. Eight terrorists were captured alive in the operation conducted by police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in the Malakand district. Assistant Commissioner Tehsil Dargai Waheedullah Khan told the media that the operation was conducted in the Mehrday area of Malakand. 'Police and CTD took part in the successful operation," Khan said. 'Five terrorists were eliminated and two were injured while eight were captured alive." Khan said that the terrorists belonged to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were behind attacks in the region. He added that the arrested terrorists were transported to the CTD Centre, while the injured were moved to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Dargai. Earlier today, nine terrorists were killed and three security officers were injured in an exchange of fire during an operation in the province's Hangu district, police said. Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the number of deaths in terrorist attacks rising by 45 per cent over the past year to 1,081. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen an increasing trend of terrorism-related incidents. PTI AYZ GRS GRS view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 01:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Masood Azhar not in Pakistan? Bhutto points to Afghanistan for housing one of India's most wanted terrorists
In a revealing interview with Al Jazeera, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Islamabad does not know the whereabouts of Masood Azhar , the UN-designated terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammed chief. Bhutto suggested Azhar may be in Afghanistan and challenged India to provide actionable intelligence if it believes Azhar is in Pakistan. 'As far as Masood Azhar is concerned, we have been unable to arrest him or identify him given his past within the Afghan Jihad context. It is our belief that he is in Afghanistan,' Bhutto said during the interview. Masood Azhar is accused of being responsible for several deadly attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing , and India has repeatedly called for action against him. New Delhi has a long-standing claim that Pakistan protects terrorists and thr terrorist attack in Kashmir in April was linked to the rival neighbour. Islamabad had, however, denied the charges by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse Undo Bhutto also responded to ongoing U.S. concerns, including a 2022 U.S. State Department report that cited continued operations of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. 'I could contest that with you. But suffice to say it's beyond that now,' he told Al Jazeera. Bhutto defended Pakistan's steps to meet international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), referring to convictions in terror-financing cases and the shutdown of over 90 institutions linked to extremist groups. Live Events On Hafiz Saeed , the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and another key figure wanted by India, Bhutto said, 'That's factually not correct… He is in the custody of the Pakistani state.' The interview comes as Pakistan faces increasing pressure following the release of the Global Terrorism Index 2025 . The report ranked Pakistan as the second-most terrorism-affected country, citing a 45% spike in terror-related deaths. The rise has been linked to the resurgence of militant groups near the Afghan border. Why is Masood Azhar 'wanted' in India? Masood Azhar has long been one of India's most wanted terrorists. He was released from Indian custody in 1999 in exchange for hostages on the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814. Soon after his release, Azhar founded Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which has been linked to several attacks on Indian military and civilian targets. Azhar has been on the run after being said to be the mastermind behind the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing, among others. These attacks led to the deaths of dozens of Indian security personnel and civilians, and escalated tensions between the two neighbours. India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to take action against Azhar and hand him over. On May 7, 2025, India launched missile strikes on terrorist camps inside Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack. One of the targets was Jaish-e-Mohammed's camp in Bahawalpur. Following the strike, the death of ten of his family members, including his sister, nephew, nieces, and other close relatives was confirmed. India flags terror funding risk in IMF aid to Pakistan Following the May 7 strikes, India accused Pakistan of rebuilding the very terror infrastructure that had been destroyed. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised concerns about Pakistan's intent and international financial support to it. 'Pakistan will spend the tax collected from its citizens to give around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist organisation, even though he is a UN-designated terrorist,' Singh said. He also alleged that the Pakistan government announced financial aid to rebuild the terror bases of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Muridke and Bahawalpur. The defence minister also called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its recent $1 billion assistance to Islamabad. 'Certainly, a large part of IMF's one billion dollars assistance will be used to fund the terror infrastructure. Will this not be considered indirect funding by IMF, an international organisation? Any financial assistance to Pakistan is no less than terror funding. The funds India gives to IMF should not be used, directly or indirectly, to create terror infrastructure in Pakistan or any other country,' Singh had said.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Don't know where he is': Bhutto on Masood Azhar; gets called out for Pak's support to terror
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari revealed that Islamabad does not know the current whereabouts of UN-designated terrorist , and suggested he may be in Afghanistan. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "As far as Masood Azhar is concerned, we have been unable to arrest him or identify him given his past within the Afghan Jihad context. It is our belief that he is in Afghanistan," Bhutto said in an exclusive with Al Jazeera. When asked about ongoing US concerns, including a 2022 State Department report that Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed continue to operate from Pakistani soil, Bhutto responded: 'I could contest that with you. But suffice to say it's beyond that now.' He insisted that Pakistan had met the rigorous requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and pointed to the convictions of individuals for terror financing and the seizure of over 90 institutions linked to extremist outfits. On the issue of , another figure of concern to India, Bhutto flatly denied reports that he was a free man. 'That's factually not correct… He is in the custody of the Pakistani state,' he said. The former Pakistani foreign minister's comments come amid growing international scrutiny of Pakistan's track record on tackling terrorism, and just weeks after the Global Terrorism Index 2025 placed the country as the second-most terrorism-affected nation in the world. The GTI reported a 45 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan, linking the surge to the growing influence of militant groups along the Afghanistan border.
Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Indian Express
Five killed in two separate terrorist attacks in Pak's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
At least five people, including two security personnel and three members of a local peace committee, were killed in two separate incidents of terrorism in northwest Pakistan, police said on Sunday. Both terrorist activities occurred in the restive Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police confirmed. In the first incident, a roadside bomb targeted a patrolling vehicle early on Sunday morning killing two soldiers and injuring three others, according to police. Unidentified gunmen shot dead three members of the peace militia in another incident in the Shahab Khel area, local police added. Police identified the deceased as Dastagir, the head of a local peace committee, along with Saleem Khan and Salahuddin. Security forces cordoned off the areas following the incidents and investigations are underway. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in November 2022. Militant attacks and counter-terrorism operations surged in March 2025, with the number of terrorist incidents crossing 100 for the first time since November 2014, a Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies report said. Pakistan ranked second on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with terror-related deaths rising by 45 per cent over the past year to 1,081.
