The Beninese government launched on 27 October 2026 in Cotonou the work of a national workshop for evaluating and strategically framing the Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM). The opening session brought together the Minister Delegate in charge of the Interior and Public Security, Djibril Mama Cissé, the Minister of Early and Primary Education, Armand Kuyema Natta, ambassadors from Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as the head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) office.
The program brings together three European donors-Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom-and entrusts its implementation to the IOM alongside Benin’s sectoral ministries. Over the past three years, its actions have targeted border municipalities most exposed to extremist violence.
A Triennial Review and a New Strategic Roadmap
Stakeholders are meeting to assess achievements over the first three years of deployment, identify challenges encountered on the ground, and draw lessons learned. Discussions will also determine the strategic priorities guiding the mechanism’s next three years.
The Minister in charge of Public Security outlined the Beninese government’s expectations for this new phase. Government guidelines emphasize sustaining gains, ensuring local ownership of achievements, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders. National priorities also include community participation, youth engagement in local stability dynamics, and improving monitoring and evaluation tools to measure impacts.
Key Intervention Pillars in Border Municipalities
Germany’s Ambassador to Benin, Stefan Buchwald, highlighted the initiative’s original purpose: addressing areas facing security tensions to restore trust between populations and state institutions.
« A strong and peaceful relationship between citizens, administration, and security forces is the best defense against criminal networks and armed terrorist groups infiltrating. »
The diplomat recalled the CSSM’s three guiding principles: responsiveness to events, visible public service presence in targeted territories, and prioritizing the most vulnerable local governments.
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The facts in this article come from the following sources:
- 1Stabilité des États côtiers : Le Bénin évalue les acquis du MSEC et définit de nouvelles orientationsGouvernement de la République du Bénin · 28 October 2026 official source
- 2Atelier du lancement officiel du FADeC VI : Vers la consolidation des acquis et l’accélération des investissements des communesMatin Libre · 28 October 2026
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