Government officials and representatives gathered in Cotonou on 27 October 2026 for a national workshop dedicated to reviewing the results of the Mechanism for the Stability of Coastal States (MSEC). The event focused on assessing the implementation and effectiveness of security initiatives designed to counter the spread of extremism within the region. Djibril Mama Cissé, Armand Kuyema Natta, and Stefan Buchwald participated in the discussions alongside delegates from the Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM). Participants examined data concerning ongoing efforts to stabilize border zones and enhance local governance. The workshop served as a platform for evaluating the contributions of partners from the Pays-Bas, Allemagne, Royaume-Uni, and États-Unis toward the broader objective of maintaining regional security and resilience in Bénin.
Implementation and International Support
Financial backing for the Mechanism for the Stability of Coastal States (MSEC) program originates from the Pays-Bas, Allemagne, and the Royaume-Uni. These international partners provide the resources necessary to sustain the security initiatives currently under evaluation. The Organisation internationale pour les migrations (OIM) has been responsible for the implementation of the MSEC program for a period of three years.
Operation Mirador has mobilized approximately 3,000 soldiers in northern Bénin as part of the effort to counter extremist groups. Authorities established a specialized anti-terrorism unit in 2023 to operate specifically within the border zone. This unit functions alongside the broader deployment of forces to secure the territory and manage local threats.
Stefan Buchwald, the German Ambassador, emphasized the importance of local integration in these security efforts. "Un lien durable entre les habitants, l’administration et les forces de sécurité est, à mes yeux, le meilleur moyen de contenir l’infiltration des filières criminelles et des groupes armés," Buchwald stated during the proceedings. His remarks reflect the priority placed on building trust between state institutions and the populations living in areas affected by extremist activity.
Djibril Mama Cissé, the Minister Delegate for the Interior and Public Security, addressed the necessity of ensuring that these programs remain focused on the welfare of the people they are intended to protect. "Ces résultats doivent d’abord profiter aux communautés concernées," Cissé noted. The government continues to review how these resources and operational deployments align with the immediate needs of the border populations while maintaining the strategic objective of regional stability.
