By David Lewis and Maxwell Akalaare Adombila
NAIROBI/ACCRA (Reuters) – Islamist militants combating in Burkina Faso are discreetly utilizing Ghana’s north as a logistical and medical rear base to maintain their insurgency, seven sources advised Reuters, a transfer that would assist them broaden their footprint in West Africa.
The sources, who embrace Ghanaian safety officers and regional diplomats, mentioned Ghanaian authorities gave the impression to be principally turning a blind eye to the insurgents crossing over from neighbouring Burkina Faso to replenish on meals, gasoline and even explosives, in addition to getting injured fighters handled in hospital.
However they mentioned that method, whereas thus far sparing Ghana from the form of lethal Islamist assaults which have plagued its neighbours, dangers permitting militants to place down roots within the nation and recruit in some marginalised native communities.
Ghana shares a 600 km (372 mile) border with Burkina Faso, the nation on the coronary heart of an insurgency that has killed hundreds, displaced hundreds of thousands and, based on some consultants, turned the Sahel area into the epicentre of world terrorism as factions loyal to al Qaeda and Islamic State broaden their presence.
Burkina Faso has misplaced management of over half its territory as a pro-al Qaeda group referred to as JNIM gained floor. A JNIM chief this week advised French broadcaster RFI that it was aiming to push into Ghana, Togo and Benin.
In contrast to Benin and Togo, Ghana has not suffered a significant assault.
Boniface Gambila Adagbila, Ghana’s ambassador to Burkina Faso, advised Reuters the militants have been profiting from porous borders and noticed Ghana as a “protected haven”, however denied options that the authorities had de-facto struck a non-aggression pact with the jihadists. He mentioned Ghana was working with Burkina Faso to “flush them out”.
AVOIDING DISTURBANCE TO SUPPLY LINES
Ghana, which holds elections on Dec. 7, is seen as a robust democracy and has a detailed relationship with Western nations, particularly the UK and the U.S., which usually reward it for its function in selling peace and safety within the area.
“The absence of actual assaults on Ghanaian soil appears to outcome from JNIM’s calculus of not disturbing provide traces and locations of relaxation in addition to not frightening a comparatively sturdy military,” Clingendael, the Netherlands Institute of Worldwide Relations, mentioned in a report.
The organisation mentioned Ghana was tackling the risk in numerous methods, together with joint operations with neighbours.
“But, to keep away from escalation it additionally seems to have accepted de facto non-aggression with JNIM,” Clingendael mentioned, citing high-ranking authorities sources, who mentioned that disrupting the availability networks risked frightening violence.
A senior Ghanaian safety official advised Reuters that militants do use Ghana as a rear base for launching assaults elsewhere and likewise in search of medical remedy.
Nevertheless, the official, who requested to not be named because of the sensitivity of the problem, mentioned they have been monitored and typically used as informants. There have been additionally instances of militants being handed over to Burkinabe authorities.
“We have arrested a number of terrorists up to now and handed them over to Burkina,” the official mentioned, including that Accra most well-liked to deal with the instances discretely.
Ghana’s Info Ministry declined to remark.
Once they first emerged in West Africa 20 years in the past, Islamist militants, primarily then from Algeria, operated in northern Mali and the federal government on the time adopted an off-the-cuff non-aggression pact: Bamako helped negotiate freedom for Westerners kidnapped by the militants who, in return, didn’t perform assaults in Mali.
As violence unfold following a jihadi offensive in Mali in 2012, officers in Burkina Faso and Niger tried, at varied instances, related preparations. All of them collapsed because the insurgency gained energy or governments fell.
Anger at heavy losses in clashes with militants has triggered coups in all three nations since 2020. Juntas that seized energy have all expelled Western army help and turned to Russia for assist as a substitute.
Western nations have since refocused assets on efforts to shore up the northern areas of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast, which border the Sahel.
ACTIVE IN GHANA
Ghana is a centrepiece of that pivot to the coast.
When requested why the militants had thus far shunned attacking Ghanaian targets, the Ghanaian official mentioned: “You will not destroy the place you sleep, would you?”
Clingendael mentioned that of the 40 incidents recorded in Ghana since 2015 that have been suspected of being linked to violent extremist teams, solely two concerned precise violence. The remainder concerned forces transferring by means of territory, making an attempt to recruit fighters, choosing up provides or in search of refuge.
“Violent extremists are certainly energetic in Ghana,” it mentioned.
Arms consultants have, within the latest years, traced explosive costs and detonator cords utilized in bombs concentrating on U.N. and authorities troops in Mali again to mining operations in Ghana, based on a U.N. report seen by Reuters.
Aaron Atimpe, an skilled on extremist teams, mentioned militants crossing into Ghana have been recruiting amongst native communities. “It isn’t simply an space the place they will relaxation and get provides. Within the course of persons are being radicalised and recruited.”