Multi-hazard Surveillance Tool for West African Coastal Countries: Bénin - Côte d’Ivoire - Ghana - Togo (GRANIT) (as of 31 May 2025)

Key information on the evolving context (April – May 2025)

— Benin : One of the highlights of this period was the coordinated
attack by non-state armed groups against the Beninese
army, which resulted in the deaths of 54 soldiers on 17 April.
The period was also marked by an increase in incidents at
checkpoints involving individuals suspected of supplying fuel
to non-state armed groups. The new Electoral Code continues
to draw criticism from the opposition and civil society. The
Episcopal Conference returned to the subject at the end of May,
recommending concrete actions to ensure inclusive, transparent
and peaceful elections. The President of Niger, Abdourahamane
Tiani, announced that the border with Benin would remain closed
until further notice, citing the presence of ‘destabilizing French
troops’.

— Côte d’Ivoire : The security situation remains stable, with only
one incident reported, consistent with previous periods. At the
end of April, the Ivorian armed forces arrested two members of
a non-state armed group after they illegally crossed the border
and entered Ivorian territory. Pre-election tensions persist, with
several thousand people mobilizing in Abidjan after Tidjane
Thiam was removed from the electoral register on the basis of
his nationality on 3 and 4 May. On 31 May, a demonstration was
organized to protest the exclusion of key opposition figures from
the presidential election. Tensions between Côte d'Ivoire and
Burkina Faso intensified when the Burkinabè Minister of Security
announced that a coup had been foiled, pointing to Côte d'Ivoire
as the base of operations.

— Ghana : The leadership conflict in Bawku continues, manifesting
itself in sporadic clashes between community militias and law
enforcement agencies, resulting in the deaths of several civilians.

— Togo : Security incidents were reported again after a lull between
February and March 2025. On 4 May, hundreds of opposition
supporters gathered in Lomé to denounce President Gnassingbé's
transition to the position of President of the Council of Ministers,
which is not limited in time, with opposition parties referring to it
as a ‘constitutional coup d'état’.