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

Key information on the evolving context (February – March 2025)

Benin : Against a backdrop of tensions between the two
countries, Benin recalled its ambassador to Niger on 13 February,
for remarks in opposition to the official government line, in which
he asked the people of Niger for forgiveness. Former presidents
Soglo and Boni Yayi declared on 10 March, that they had been
invited back to Niger, where they would try to play a mediating
role. On 14 March, President Talon denounced the lack of military
cooperation between Benin and its neighbors Burkina Faso and
Niger. Attacks by armed groups continued in the north of the
country. On 3 March, two military vehicles were hit by explosives
planted by an armed group, wounding nine soldiers.

Côte d’Ivoire : In the run-up to the October 2025 presidential
election, identity-based rhetoric is intensifying, while the
ineligibility of several candidates has sparked outrage among
supporters. Against a backdrop of tensions between Côte d'Ivoire
and Burkina Faso, three Ivorian forestry officers were arrested on
7 February, by an armed group at a gold-panning site in Kalamon,
a few hundred meters from the Burkina Faso border. Despite
these tensions, Côte d'Ivoire expressed on 19 February, through
its Minister of Defense, its willingness to set up joint patrols with
Burkina Faso.

Ghana : Violence linked to the spillover of the Bawku chieftaincy
conflict continues to intensify in the Upper East region. Most
of the violence has consisted of attacks on civilians by armed
groups and clashes between these groups and the armed forces,
which have also affected civilians4. Since a decision officially
published on 30 January, the government of Ghana has granted
prima facie refugee status to Burkinabe asylum seekers arriving
on its territory.

Togo : On 6 March, the Togolese parliament passed a bill
authorizing the extension of the state of emergency in the north
of the country6. On 12 March, Togo's Minister of Foreign Affairs
expressed on Facebook Togo's desire to join the Alliance of Sahel
States.