Togo is pursuing membership in the Alliance of Sahel States, a coalition of military-led governments from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, seeking improved regional integration and maritime access. This strategic move reflects Togo’s desire to enhance economic and military collaboration while navigating its relationship with ECOWAS amidst rising jihadist threats and shifts in political alliances.
Togo is actively pursuing membership in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed by military-led governments from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This alliance originally established as a defense pact in 2023 is now looking to enhance regional integration. Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, recently highlighted the potential benefits of joining the AES, emphasizing the strategic advantages for regional cooperation and improved maritime access for landlocked member countries.
Access to a seaport is essential for the trio of landlocked nations, particularly in light of tensions with Ivory Coast and Benin, which have increasingly engaged with Western powers. In response, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have started utilizing ports in Lome, Togo’s capital, and Tema, Ghana, as alternative routes. Analysts suggest that Togo’s participation in the AES could bolster economic opportunities and strengthen military collaboration among member states.
Togo’s interest in the AES comes amid rising jihadist activities along its northern border with Burkina Faso. The AES has faced challenges in combating these threats since the coup leaders took power, and they are in the process of forming a joint military force to address security issues. Togo supports the AES’s commitment to restoring sovereignty, and all member countries have distanced themselves from their former colonial ties, establishing closer relationships with non-Western powers.
Political analysts note that engaging with the AES aligns with a broader pan-African movement fostering unity among traditionally divided nations. President Faure Gnassingbé’s long tenure could continue as public sentiment increasingly favors his pan-African stance. However, both Togo and AES nations have resisted external pressures to expedite democratic transitions.
Togo’s shift towards the AES may also serve as a strategic distraction from domestic criticisms stemming from recent constitutional changes perceived as consolidating power for Gnassingbé. Opposition figures express concern regarding potential implications of this alignment on Togo’s relationship with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), warning that it could insulate Togo’s regime from accountability.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing its alignment with France and ineffectiveness against jihadism, mirrors Togo’s trajectory. Togo has historically maintained a diplomatic relationship with these military regimes, acting as a mediator between ECOWAS and AES members. While some propose that Togo could navigate dual membership in both organizations, others caution that its association with the AES might precipitate ECOWAS’s decline and exacerbate regional instability.
Togo’s interest in joining the Alliance of Sahel States underscores the shifting dynamics in West Africa, as it seeks strategic advantages from collaboration with neighboring military regimes. While the potential for enhanced cooperation exists, Togo’s involvement raises significant questions about its relationship with ECOWAS and its implications for regional security and governance. Togo appears determined to explore new geopolitical partnerships while maintaining its ties to historic institutions, although concerns about diminished accountability and political stability linger as the trajectory of this alliance unfolds.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
