Armed groups and conflict economies in the national parks in West Africa

Violent extremist groups have been expanding from their primary bases in Mali and Burkina Faso towards the southern and coastal states of West Africa.

One of the main corridors for this expansion has been the stretch of protected land comprising the W, Arly and Pendjari national parks. This area of connected natural reserves, which also contains several smaller semi-protected areas and hunting concessions, is referred to as the WAP complex.

This event draws on the publication of "Reserve assets: Armed groups and conflict economies in the national parks of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin". Speakers will present the findings of the report, and will discuss the ways in which armed groups and illicit economies interact in protected spaces.