Rethinking West Africa's Security Beyond Military Solutions

At a recent West Africa Security Retreat convened by the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement in partnership with the Open Society Foundations, experienced diplomats, former intelligence chiefs, military strategists, and policy experts addressed the persistent insecurity in the region. They concluded that West Africa must rethink its security strategy beyond military solutions to achieve lasting peace.

Despite decades of military operations and increased defense budgets, insecurity has evolved into a complex web of terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, and other crimes. The retreat emphasized that the greatest challenge is not merely defeating armed groups but building institutions that can prevent violence, restore public confidence in government, and create conditions for enduring peace.

Participants noted that winning battles and winning peace are fundamentally different objectives, urging a shift in public discourse that equates security with military capability.