Togo is considering joining the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This membership could provide key access to Togo’s port for the landlocked nations. The engagement reflects a shift in regional alliances, distancing from ECOWAS while addressing security challenges. Potential benefits and political ramifications are debated among analysts and opposition figures.
Togo is actively considering joining the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which currently includes junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This potential membership could provide critical access to Togo’s port, significantly benefiting these landlocked nations. Foreign Minister Robert Dussey has expressed that joining the AES is a strategic decision aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and facilitating maritime access for member countries.
Togo’s relationship with the AES is motivated by economic and security considerations, especially as these countries face jihadist threats. Analysts suggest that Togo could benefit from economic solidarity, such as accessing Nigerien oil and establishing renewed trade routes. Furthermore, Togo could enhance military cooperation and intelligence sharing to combat the growing jihadist activity in its northern regions.
Togo’s alignment with the AES reflects a broader regional shift away from former colonial powers like France, as the involved nations reinforce ties with alternative partners, including Russia. Political analysts view this engagement as part of a pan-African movement, allowing historically divided nations to unite in their sovereignty pursuits, while President Faure Gnassingbé’s tenure potentially enjoys increased support for its pan-African policies.
However, questions arise regarding Togo’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Opposition figures warn that joining the AES might shield Togo from ECOWAS’s push for democratic governance and human rights commitments. Notably, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from ECOWAS, further complicating Togo’s regional affiliations.
Despite these concerns, experts suggest that Togo may seek to maintain a dual membership in both ECOWAS and the AES, leveraging its strategic port while exploring new partnerships. Ultimately, Togo’s decision to engage with the AES could have significant implications for ECOWAS’s stability and influence in the region.
Togo is exploring membership in the Alliance of Sahel States to enhance regional cooperation and expand trade routes, especially through its critical port. This move reflects a larger trend of shifting alliances away from Western influence as Sahelian nations confront security issues. While potential benefits exist, the implications for Togo’s relationship with ECOWAS are complex, with warnings regarding the risks of prioritizing AES membership over commitments to regional governance standards.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
