Togo’s importance in diplomacy and peacekeeping in Africa was recently highlighted by the country’s foreign minister, Robert Dussey, during his speech to the UN. In his remarks, he stressed that Togo was a “country of peace” which opposed war, whatever the reason.
This pacifist and sovereignist position of Togo has been welcomed, but some also see it as an attempt to divert attention from the internal situation of the country. Indeed, President Faure Gnassingbé has been in office since 2005 and is currently seeking a fourth term, sparking criticism and calls for more democratic elections.
Despite this, Togo has always claimed its status as a neutral mediator in Africa. Since the 1980s, the country has organized meetings between belligerents in different conflicts, showing its commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
This position particularly stands out within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where Togo opposes any foreign military intervention in a member country. This is particularly relevant in the case of Niger, where ECOWAS has threatened military intervention due to political and security instability.
In addition, Togo played an important role in the release of Ivorian soldiers detained in Mali, thus strengthening its credibility as a regional mediator.
This clear position by Togo in favor of peace and sovereignty strengthens its role as a regional diplomatic actor. However, it is essential that the country does not just use this position to divert attention from its own internal situation and actually commits to democratic and transparent reforms.