Huge counter-terrorism coaching of jihadists ought to be refrained from the West African coast

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  Elles van Gelder

  Africa journalist

West African particular models have been educated in current weeks by Western colleagues to battle towards terrorist teams. The coaching comes at a time when the West has fewer and fewer African allies within the battle towards terrorism in West Africa, whereas terrorist assaults on the continent are growing. improve considerably.

A beige Toyota Landcruiser drives on a dusty highway in northern Ghana. Behind the wheel is a member of a terrorist group. Ghanaian commandos in bulletproof vests bounce out of the bushes. Gunfire ensues and ends when the terrorist is dragged out of the automobile and handcuffed. Mission completed. “Good job,” shouts the British trainer, who watches from a distance.

All of it seems to be like life, nevertheless it’s not: this example is a part of the primary Flintlock navy train. Yearly the USA organizes this week-long counter-terrorism coaching in West Africa, this time at numerous places in Ivory Coast and Ghana. Practically thirty international locations and 1,300 troopers will take part; Holland has additionally despatched sailors.

Tomorrow is the final day of the coaching that ought to make the elite troopers extra immune to terror:

It’s the Sahel the middle of terrorism. Nowhere on this planet are there as many deaths from terror as on this area: giant components of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are within the fingers of jihadists. These international locations participated in earlier editions of Flintlock, however relations with the West have deteriorated in recent times.

After the military took energy in a coup, French and European troops have been pressured to depart Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger; the Individuals will depart Niger in September. All three international locations now rely closely on Russian mercenaries and gear for help.

West African coastal international locations are absolutely represented within the navy train, as Western troopers are nonetheless welcome there. There are particular models from Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and from the host international locations Ivory Coast and Ghana. “It is essential,” mentioned the Ghanaian military captain who instantly led the group that eliminated the rogue terrorist from the automobile. “If one thing occurs, we will depend on them they usually can proceed in the event that they want it.” help.”

Thought of 11,643 folks died of terrorism within the Sahel in 2023. That’s thrice greater than in 2020. The terrorist teams function underneath their very own names however typically say they’re linked to IS and al-Qaeda. After Afghanistan, Burkina Faso was the nation that suffered probably the most terror final 12 months.

There’s a nice worry that terrorist teams are more and more shifting to the south of West Africa. Terror is already spreading from Burkina Faso to northern Togo and Benin. The opposite international locations alongside the coast have to date remained largely out of hurt’s manner, however there are additionally fears that violence may attain them.

“Right here in Ghana we see jihadist fighters already crossing the border from Burkina Faso to relaxation, plan the following assaults and for logistics,” mentioned Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, director of the West African Heart towards Terrorism within the capital Accra.

There’s proof that they’re bringing motorbikes and fertilizers from Ghana to make explosives. There are additionally issues in regards to the smuggling of gold and medicines by way of coastal international locations to the Sahel to finance the terrorist teams. “The coastal international locations are extra necessary than ever,” says professional Muqthar. “If we lose it to terrorism, we lose all of West Africa.”

However that battle can’t be received on the battlefield, says Muqthar. “We’ve failed within the Sahel, now we have overcompensated our response to terror. Instability is a breeding floor for violent extremism.”

The truth that the USA continues to arrange the Flintlock train is as a result of the West is anxious about rising terror in West Africa, mentioned American Main Adam Demarco, the designer of Flintlock. “What occurs in West Africa impacts the entire world, whether or not we’re speaking about commerce or migration.

He says they’ve realized classes from the previous. “It is simple to hold out assaults, however we additionally speak about how one can maintain the general public protected.

Additionally necessary: that particular models from completely different international locations belief one another. Senegalese and Ivorians crawl over the bottom and have to have a look at what the enemy is doing in a village additional away. Hidden within the bushes, they appear by way of binoculars.

“We’re engaged on the relations between the African troopers,” mentioned US First Sergeant Correll. “4 or 5 international locations are sleeping collectively in a crowded barracks. It is also about attending to know one another higher, so that they know the place to seek out one another in the event that they need assistance.”