At the 10th Edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, Ambassador Rasheed Seidu Inusah, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Intelligence and Security Analysis (CISA Ghana), emphasized the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation and inclusive security approaches to address the growing security challenges in West Africa.
Speaking at the high-level forum, Ambassador Inusah highlighted that traditional state-led military responses are no longer sufficient to combat terrorism and instability in the region. Instead, he advocated for a comprehensive security framework that integrates civil society and non-state actors as strategic partners in the fight against insecurity.
“Terrorism and instability in West Africa cannot be tackled by military means alone,” Ambassador Inusah stated. “Civil society and non-state actors are an essential layer within a broader, integrated security architecture.”
He pointed out the expanding threat from extremist groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), which are increasingly active in coastal states like Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. These groups exploit porous borders and governance gaps, creating an interconnected arc of instability spanning key hotspots including the Liptako-Gourma region and the Lake Chad Basin.
Ambassador Inusah also noted the complexities posed by shifting geopolitical dynamics, including regional fragmentation and evolving alliances, raising critical questions about how to enhance security cooperation under such conditions.
Against this backdrop, he emphasized the vital role played by civil society—traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth networks, and community organizations—in early warning, conflict mediation, and countering radicalization. These groups often enjoy greater trust at the community level and help bridge the divide between citizens and state institutions.
He further called for institutionalizing civil society’s role in security frameworks, protecting civic space, and investing in vulnerable border communities. Ambassador Inusah stressed that while civil society is a key partner, states and regional bodies retain the central responsibility for security.
The forum’s discussions reflect a broader shift in Africa’s security approach—moving away from purely military solutions toward integrated strategies that combine capable state institutions, regional cooperation, and societal resilience.
“Ultimately, sustainable security depends not only on military strength but on trust between governments and the communities they serve,” Ambassador Inusah concluded. “Civil society’s role in building that trust is strategic and indispensable.”
