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Containing Militancy in West Africa’s Park W
Containing Militancy in West Africa’s Park W
Table of Contents
  1. Executive Summary
  2. Containing Militancy in West Africa’s Park W
  3. Introduction
  4. A Park under Threat
    1. A Century-long Conservation Effort
    2. Droughts, Migration and Growing Populations
    3. Conflict on the Park’s Edges
  5. Jihadist Takeover
    1. Arrivals, Recruits and Allies
    2. Local Headquarters
    3. Satellite Cells and Forested By-ways
    4. Undermining Conservation
  6. Safeguarding Park W
    1. Securing Park W
    2. Improving Conservation
    3. Addressing Conflict over Resources
  7. Policy Recommendations
    1. A Three-tiered Military Strategy
    2. Declassifying the Park’s Buffer Zones
    3. A Long-term Project: Transforming Agricultural Production
  8. Conclusion
  9. Appendix A: Map of Conflict Incidents and Protected Areas in the Sahel
A ranger stands guard on top of a vehicle during an elephant collaring exercise at Pendjari National Park, near Tanguieta on January 10, 2018.
A ranger stands guard on top of a vehicle during an elephant collaring exercise at Pendjari National Park, near Tanguieta on January 10, 2018. STEFAN HEUNIS / AFP
Report 310 / Africa

Containing Militancy in West Africa’s Park W

Insurgents have established bases in an important nature reserve spanning parts of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. They pose a growing danger to local ecosystems and people living around the park. The three countries need to collaborate more closely to keep the threat at bay.