Strategic Stabilization Advisors

Strategic Stabilization Advisors (SSA) delivers informed strategies based on ‘groundtruthed’ research in Africa.

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

Interested in what SSA is doing in Benin and across West Africa? Reach out to us for more information, but see some of our work featured in AFP.

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

As extremist violence moves south from the Sahel, Benin is taking a bold approach to prevent JNIM infiltration: empowering communities to co-lead their own security.

And we at Strategic Stabilization Advisors (SSA) are proud to be supporting that work. 🧵

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

For years, counterterrorism in the Sahel has focused overwhelmingly on military force alone, with limited long-term success. What we're doing in Benin is different: community-centered civ-mil that improves trust, intelligence & operational effectiveness in vulnerable areas.

[Spirit of America @SpiritAmerica]

Over the last year, Spirit of America has been working alongside our U.S. military partners, @StratStability, and the Beninese Army (FAB) in Benin to facilitate trust with the local population through #OperationMirador.

Civil-military cooperation helps to chip away at the foundations that terrorist groups depend on to operate and survive: social grievances, disenfranchisement, and economic isolation. Providing solutions to the needs identified jointly by the community and military improves coordination — and more importantly, trust — between civilians and the state, and encourages civic engagement and joint governance in fragile areas.

In Cobly, a town in northwest Benin, we funded the roof rehabilitation for a 3-room schoolhouse benefitting 150 students, and the construction of a borehole at the Tapoga health center, increasing access to clean water for the nearly 7,000 patients the center serves annually, as well as the full population of the village. 🔨🚰 As this activity was implemented by the military, it helped restore the image of the government in the people's eyes while also directly addressing some of their most urgent needs quickly.

Projects like these have given the FAB a long-term platform for collaboration and coordination directly with civilian populations, helping to stop the spread of extremism in West Africa and debunk false narratives that armed groups spread.

[Spirit of America @SpiritAmerica]

Over the last year, Spirit of America has been working alongside our U.S. military partners, @StratStability, and the Beninese Army (FAB) in Benin to facilitate trust with the local population through #OperationMirador.

Civil-military cooperation helps to chip away at the foundations that terrorist groups depend on to operate and survive: social grievances, disenfranchisement, and economic isolation. Providing solutions to the needs identified jointly by the community and military improves coordination — and more importantly, trust — between civilians and the state, and encourages civic engagement and joint governance in fragile areas.

In Cobly, a town in northwest Benin, we funded the roof rehabilitation for a 3-room schoolhouse benefitting 150 students, and the construction of a borehole at the Tapoga health center, increasing access to clean water for the nearly 7,000 patients the center serves annually, as well as the full population of the village. 🔨🚰 As this activity was implemented by the military, it helped restore the image of the government in the people's eyes while also directly addressing some of their most urgent needs quickly.

Projects like these have given the FAB a long-term platform for collaboration and coordination directly with civilian populations, helping to stop the spread of extremism in West Africa and debunk false narratives that armed groups spread.

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We are delighted to have our @USSOCAF funded program featured here. This engagement was a great success!

[U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) @USAfricaCommand]

Investing in the future of Côte d’Ivoire. 
During #Flintlock26, 91st Civil Affairs Battalion soldiers joined Ivorian civil-military forces to provide school supplies to 600+ students and engage with 1,200+ young leaders at a national career forum.
#StrongerTogether #IvoirianCoast

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

It's great to see our work featured by the U.S. Embassy. SSA is working closely with @USSOCAF on training the Ivorian Armed Forces in civil military cooperation, including through a featured exercise during #Flintlock this year in Cote d'Ivoire.

[U.S. Embassy Abidjan @USEmbAbidjan]

Les Forces spéciales ivoiriennes ont participé à un séminaire de deux jours sur les actions civilo-militaires aux côtés de formateurs américains.
Ces échanges ont porté sur l’engagement auprès des communautés et le renforcement de la confiance du public.
Une confiance renforcée permet aux forces de mieux protéger les populations et de contribuer à la stabilité.
#PlusFortEnsemble #AvançonsEnsemble

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We’re participating in Flintlock this year! We’ll be hosting a civil military training and schoolhouse engagement in Côte d’Ivoire.

[SOCAFRICA @USSOCAF]

I’m happy to announce that our premier special operations exercise in Africa, Flintlock 2026, has begun. This exercise will forge stronger bonds between all those participating and demonstrate our shared commitments to confronting and degrading terrorism in Africa. - U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, @USAfricaCommand Deputy Commander.

@USEmbassyLibya @USEmbAbidjan

https://t.co/pqtqWw1ORI

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

So proud to promote our work! In northern Benin, civil-military engagement is driving real gains - improving access, early warning, and community cooperation. We are proud to support this alongside @SpiritAmerica and our partners. #CivilMilitary #Benin

[Spirit of America @SpiritAmerica]

In northern Benin, security and stability starts with trust. 🤝

As one part of #OperationMirador — a major military initiative to combat jihadist violence and extremist threats — the Beninese Army (FAB) is bringing free medical care directly to communities, strengthening the bond between civilians and those working to protect them. With support from Spirit of America and our implementing partner @StratStability, military medical teams are delivering care, equipment, and essential medicines to families who otherwise have limited access to healthcare options. 🩺💊

Colonel Tassou Abdou Wassiou, who coordinates the operation’s civil-military efforts for the FAB, underscored that medical outreach efforts like this are about more than healthcare — they’re a critical part of a broader strategy to build trust, reinforce security, and open channels for dialogue and information-sharing that help create conditions for lasting stability in the region.

Spirit of America is adapting and extending efforts like this that leverage American expertise to combat terrorist threats around Africa and the world.

[Spirit of America @SpiritAmerica]

In northern Benin, security and stability starts with trust. 🤝

As one part of #OperationMirador — a major military initiative to combat jihadist violence and extremist threats — the Beninese Army (FAB) is bringing free medical care directly to communities, strengthening the bond between civilians and those working to protect them. With support from Spirit of America and our implementing partner @StratStability, military medical teams are delivering care, equipment, and essential medicines to families who otherwise have limited access to healthcare options. 🩺💊

Colonel Tassou Abdou Wassiou, who coordinates the operation’s civil-military efforts for the FAB, underscored that medical outreach efforts like this are about more than healthcare — they’re a critical part of a broader strategy to build trust, reinforce security, and open channels for dialogue and information-sharing that help create conditions for lasting stability in the region.

Spirit of America is adapting and extending efforts like this that leverage American expertise to combat terrorist threats around Africa and the world.

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

Stay tuned as we update on more of the work our team is doing in #Benin

[Spirit of America @SpiritAmerica]

In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight some of the most successful projects completed in the first year of this program. This work reflects the Beninese Armed Forces’ commitment to innovation, partnership, and population-centered security — an approach that is increasingly recognized as essential for confronting today’s insurgent threats. 🤝

We are proud to work with the FAB, @abernard and her team at @StratStability, and other local partners to strengthen locally-led solutions to complex security challenges.
#CivMilCommittees #CommunitySupport #Benin #WestAfrica

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We are proud to support this effort with @SpiritAmerica and Benin's Armed Forces. Building effective civil-military coordination on the ground is essential to countering insurgent expansion and strengthening trust between security forces and communities.

[Spirit of America @SpiritAmerica]

The #Sahel has become the deadliest region in the world for terrorism, and the violence is spreading into coastal West Africa, with Benin facing growing pressure along its northern border.

Defeating insurgencies requires close cooperation with local communities. With Spirit of America's support, the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) have taken proactive steps to strengthen their ability to protect both their territory and local families. 🇧🇯

In coordination with U.S. partners, we have worked with our regional partner, @StratStability (SSA) and the Beninese Armed Forces to develop a new model to rebuild trust between communities and security forces in the north. Through civil-military committees, civilians and security forces can now share information, identify risks early, and develop local solutions together. In the areas where these committees operate, trust between communities and the military has improved, access to key zones has expanded, and early warning has helped prevent attacks before they occur.

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

Stay tuned for our next addition to this series, as we explore religious freedom, regional spillover risks, and what all of this means for U.S. policy in Africa. https://t.co/7gm373JgVw

#Nigeria #WestAfrica #Sahel #Counterterrorism #Africa #NatSec #Security #Policy

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We’ve started a new blog series on Nigeria, looking at the drivers of conflict, the risk of regional spillover, and what growing U.S. security interest in the country could mean for policy in Africa based on the limited information we can gather in Washington🧵

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

Bandits control routes, terrain, and local intelligence networks across large rural areas. They're not ideological, which makes them useful partners, facilitators, or enablers for jihadists. As these groups overlap, Nigeria could soon face a more networked insurgency. 5/

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We're blogging again! Our latest piece looks at the encouraging but still risky investment opportunities in #Guinea. Guinea’s investment story is gaining momentum, but investment must be paired with clear-eyed risk awareness. https://t.co/uqnNsGUVq4

[Andrew Lebovich @tweetsintheME]

Some analysts and journalists are conflating “JNIM wants Mali’s government to fall” with “JNIM wants to take over Bamako and run Mali.” These are not the same thing, and it’s important we remember that and provide evidence and nuance, even as the situation degrades further.

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We were honored to participate in the #WAMS2025 conference, and for our director @abernard to speak about the threat context in West Africa and the current challenges faced by mining companies as the region faces uncertainty and an unstable operating context.

[Australian High Commission, Ghana @AusAmbGHA]

The 2025 edition of the West Africa Mining Security (WAMS) Conference has concluded in Accra. Over two days, the conference brought together decision-makers, experts,and partners to share insights, strengthen collaboration, and chart practical pathways to address… (1/3)

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

We've launched a blog! Read about how West Africa’s borderlands are dynamic spaces where trade, stability, and risk converge. Our inaugural blogpost explains why investors in frontier markets must pay attention to borderland trade, security and politics: https://t.co/IjGqcCa6va

[Strategic Stabilization Advisors @StratStability]

Proud to see our work in Benin featured in @Africa_In_EN

Through civil-military committees under Benin's Operation Mirador, SSA is helping the army build trust with communities, curb jihadist recruitment, & safeguard border stability with @USSOCAF and @SpiritAmerica

[Africa Intelligence @Africa_In_EN]

BENIN | To block the influence of jihadist groups, the Beninese armed forces have set up local consultation structures in the north of the country. This initiative is supported by a handful of American partners.
➡️ https://t.co/ILx2BlvofZ