Togo launches new Sahel strategy to support regional stability

Togo is moving towards launching a new Sahel strategy, with the aim of contributing to strengthening regional stability and its economic and trade relations with the Sahel countries of the African continent.

This approach by Togo stems from its conviction that “the collapse of the Sahel Alliance would threaten the entire West African region.”.

In this regard, Togo intends to intensify its diplomatic efforts in the service of peace, development and growth in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea countries, a few months after the end of its first Sahel strategy (2021-2025), as Togo plans to launch a new strategy to address shortcomings, consolidate achievements and take into account new developments and challenges.

Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey outlined the main directions of this new strategy in an interview published Wednesday on the Togolese Foreign Ministry's website.

Strengthening regional stability and economic relations

Dossi said, “The need to contribute to strengthening regional stability and economic and trade relations between the Sahel region and Togo has prompted the development of a new Togolese strategy for the Sahel region.”.

Dossi explained, “Developing a new strategy for the Sahel region enables Togo to integrate the developments of recent years, which are of great importance to the West African region, into its regional work.”.

The minister pointed to the continuing security challenges in the Sahel countries and the increasing threats in the northern regions of the countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, noting the geopolitical reshaping that occurred with the creation of the Union of Sahel States (AES), following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Doussi believes that his country’s policy is clear, consistent, and based on cooperation without subservience, and engaging in dialogue without compromising national sovereignty.

Confronting common threats

He explained: ”Through closer ties with the Sahel Alliance countries, we reaffirm our commitment to maintaining practical cooperation in the face of common threats. And by strengthening our relations with our external partners, we demonstrate that Togo is a reliable and independent actor, capable of engaging in dialogue with all without compromising its independence.”.

The minister stated that Togo, under the leadership of Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé, has contributed to resolving major crises in the region, particularly the mediation between Ivory Coast and Mali that led to the release of Ivorian soldiers in 2023.

The minister also noted his country’s role in the release of some Burkinabe Homeland Defense Volunteers and Ivorian soldiers in 2024.

The Togolese Foreign Minister expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing dialogue with Burkina Faso regarding common security challenges, as well as the consultations held with the Nigerien authorities during periods of heightened tensions.