Togo is considering membership in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), signaling a potential realignment in West African geopolitics as ECOWAS’s influence declines. Foreign Minister Robert Dussey has emphasized the strategic benefits this move could offer for regional cooperation and trade. Analysts warn that this shift might accelerate ECOWAS’s decline and reshape future power dynamics within the region.
Togo is signaling a potential geopolitical shift in West Africa by exploring membership in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes military-led Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This move is likely to further diminish the influence of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has recently seen these three countries depart, compromising its unity and effectiveness.
Togo’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, expressed the country’s interest in joining the AES, stating that such membership is “not impossible”. In a recent social media post, Dussey elaborated, saying, “Togo is considering joining the AES, a strategic decision that could strengthen regional cooperation and offer access to the sea to member countries.”
The potential benefits for landlocked Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, especially in terms of access to Togo’s port at Lomé, could significantly enhance their trade and economic conditions. Additionally, as tensions rise between these Sahel states and ECOWAS members like Ivory Coast and Benin, the Sahel nations have begun to divert some of their trade to Togo.
Analysts see this potential move as unlocking various economic advantages. Political analyst Madi Djabakate notes the possibility of economic solidarity, such as gaining access to oil from Niger and renewed trade routes, alongside potential security advantages through improved military collaboration and intelligence sharing.
The AES, initially set up as a defense pact, aims to establish a joint military force of 5,000 troops, reflecting Togo’s increased commitment to regional security amid escalating jihadist attacks that have threatened northern Togo and its borders with Burkina Faso. Togo’s inclination towards the AES also resonates with a broader pan-African sentiment, promoting unity among long-divided nations.
Domestically, President Faure Gnassingbé’s regime faces scrutiny over political maneuvering that may extend his tenure. Aligning with the AES could shield Togo from ECOWAS’s pressure regarding governance and rights. Opposition figure Nathaniel Olympio cautioned that joining the AES might provide a safeguard against ECOWAS’s demands for democratic accountability.
Despite this pivot, Togo is unlikely to sever ties with ECOWAS entirely. Analysts like Djabakate suggest Togo could maintain connections with both organizations, emphasizing Lomé’s port as crucial for West African trade. However, some experts warn that moving towards the AES could accelerate ECOWAS’s disintegration, with Seidik Abba asserting that Togo’s switch would worsen the already tenuous situation in the region.
The upcoming months will be crucial as Togo’s decisions may influence West Africa’s political landscape, either stabilizing ECOWAS’s fragile unity or enhancing the power dynamics favoring the growing Sahel bloc.
Togo’s exploration of membership in the Alliance of Sahel States indicates a significant geopolitical shift in West Africa. As the influence of ECOWAS diminishes with the departure of member states, Togo’s potential alignment could provide economic and security benefits. However, this move may also aggravate ECOWAS’s fragmentation and signal a changing power dynamic in the region that necessitates careful monitoring in the near future.
Original Source: www.pulse.ng
