The Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS) is a joint effort by the U.S. government and partners to address root causes of instability and build durable, inclusive peace. It realizes the vision of the bipartisan Global Fragility Act of 2019. Together with partners, we’re advancing SPCPS through 10-year whole-of-U.S. government plans that were created through extensive consultations and will be continually updated. The Coastal West Africa region — specifically Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo — is one of five partner countries/regions identified in the SPCPS.

10-Year Plan Objectives in Coastal West Africa

The 10-year plan for Coastal West Africa focuses on preventing the spread of violent extremism from neighboring countries in the Sahel. It was developed after consultations with national, regional, and local partners including over 100 representatives from civil society organizations. The plan is linked to and supports African-led regional efforts and national plans such as Côte d’Ivoire’s 2021-2025 National Development Plan and Benin’s National Development Plan 2018-2024. The plan promotes regional cooperation while increasing trust among national and local actors. Our efforts aim to:

  1. Strengthen social cohesion within and between at-risk communities.
  2. Improve government responsiveness, inclusion, and accountability to at-risk communities.
  3. Enhance security force responsiveness and accountability to at-risk communities.

SPCPS Activities in Coastal West Africa

To advance the SPCPS in Coastal West Africa, the United States, led by State, USAID, Defense, and Treasury, is leveraging resources from across the U.S. government. This includes both activities supported by the Prevention and Stabilization Fund, which was authorized by the U.S. Congress for SPCPS, and other U.S. government efforts aligned to the 10-year plan, such as:

  • Border Security Training in Benin (State Department): Equipping, training, and institutionalizing border security training across Benin’s conventional ground force.
  • Civil-Military Engagement (Defense Department): Supporting civil-military engagements to promote positive interactions between the military, civil authorities, and local populace.
  • Coastal States Stability Mechanism in Benin, Ghana, Togo (USAID-Germany): Leveraging joint U.S.-German funds to strengthen positive state presence and relationships with local communities in key border areas. Activities will be co-designed with local communities and may include supporting community engagement and government service delivery.
  • Community Policing Project in Togo (State Department): Strengthening the government’s efforts to prevent political grievances and violence through community-oriented policing and foundational police management and operations.
  • Resilience for Peace in Côte d’Ivoire (USAID): Reinforcing partner communities and local government ability to reduce the drivers of conflict and the spread of violent extremism along the northern border region through knowledge sharing, community action, and strengthening of the communication ecosystem.
  • Strengthening Regional Peace and Stability in West Africa Program (USAID): Working to address interregional conflicts, improve state stability, and support the resilience of local communities through activities such as youth sporting events to increase social cohesion.