Islamist militants from Burkina Faso are reportedly expanding their presence in West Africa, with northern Ghana serving as a key logistical and medical hub, according to seven sources, including Ghanaian security officials and diplomats, as reported by Reuters. The militants, primarily from the pro-al-Qaeda group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), are discreetly using northern Ghana to stockpile food, fuel, and explosives, and to access medical care for injured fighters.
JNIM has been gaining significant ground in Burkina Faso, which has lost control of over half of its territory to the group. Analysts from the Clingendael Institute of International Relations in the Netherlands suggest that Ghana may have a de facto non-aggression pact with the jihadists, based on information from high-ranking government sources. This raises concerns that militants could become more entrenched in Ghana.
Kars De Bruijne, an expert from the Clingendael Institute, notes that JNIM operatives have been observed passing through northern Ghana, procuring supplies, and even recruiting members. These activities are seen as a growing security threat for the country, particularly with national elections approaching on December 7.
While Ghana is considered a strong democracy with close ties to Western nations, the threat from extremist groups looms large. JNIM, however, may hesitate to provoke a direct confrontation with Ghana’s military, which is seen as robust and capable of defending its territory.
Ghana shares a nearly 400-mile border with Burkina Faso, a country devastated by the insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions. The Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, is now a global hotspot for terrorism, with al-Qaeda and Islamic State factions expanding their influence.
This week, a JNIM leader told French broadcaster RFI that the group aims to push into Ghana, Togo, and Benin. While Togo and Benin have experienced militant attacks, Ghana has so far avoided a major incident. Ghana’s ambassador to Burkina Faso acknowledged the militants’ exploitation of porous borders but denied any non-aggression pact with JNIM, emphasizing that Ghana is actively working with Burkina Faso to remove these fighters. The Ghanaian Information Ministry has declined to comment on the matter.
Historically, countries like Burkina Faso have attempted informal non-aggression pacts with Islamist militants, but these have collapsed as insurgent groups grew in power or governments were destabilized. Some regimes have expelled Western military assistance in favor of alliances with Russia, contributing to the worsening security situation across the region.
