Togo is seeking to join the AES, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, to enhance regional cooperation and trade access. Foreign Minister Robert Dussey discussed the benefits of membership, including military collaboration against jihadist threats. This potential alliance may complicate Togo’s relationship with ECOWAS, as local opposition voices express concerns over governance and human rights implications.
Togo is looking to join the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes junta-led nations Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Foreign Minister Robert Dussey has increased diplomatic efforts towards this confederation, indicating that membership could enhance regional cooperation and provide vital port access for these landlocked countries. The port in Lome is particularly crucial as it would serve as a gateway for resources and trade for the AES members.
The AES was established in 2023 as a defense pact but has since evolved to promote greater integration. Dussey recently highlighted that joining the AES could bring economic benefits, such as access to Nigerien oil and revitalized trade routes. Analyst Madi Djabakate stated that joining the AES could also bolster military cooperation and intelligence sharing among nations combating increasing jihadist threats.
Jihadist activities have escalated in northern Togo, posing risks to national security. The AES nations are under pressure after facing challenges from jihadists and have announced plans to create a joint military force. Togo appears to endorse the AES’s strategy of reclaiming sovereignty and diverging from former colonial influences, forging stronger ties with nations like Russia.
President Faure Gnassingbe’s longstanding rule and policies of pan-Africanism have garnered popular support. However, the AES’s military governments have avoided calls for immediate elections, extending political transitions for years. Djabakate notes that Togo’s increased engagement with the AES could serve as a distraction from domestic unrest regarding governance and constitutional changes that may allow Gnassingbe to prolong his presidency.
Concerns arise from opposition politicians about Togo’s potential shift away from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Membership in the AES may provide Togo’s regime insulation from ECOWAS’s guidelines on law and civil rights. Historically, Togo has maintained amicable relationships with military regimes, even acting as a mediator between ECOWAS and these states.
Political analyst Djabakate argues that Togo could feasibly maintain dual memberships in both ECOWAS and the AES, as alliances can coexist without being exclusive. Despite exploring new partnerships, Togo intends to retain its connection to ECOWAS, as the port of Lome is essential for the entire region. Nevertheless, analysts warn that Togo’s potential move towards the AES could exacerbate ECOWAS’s vulnerabilities, further complicating the regional political landscape.
Togo’s pursuit of membership in the AES highlights its strategic interests in enhancing regional cooperation and trade opportunities while navigating complex geopolitical influences. The potential alliance could offer essential port access for its landlocked neighbors and bolster military collaboration against rising jihadist threats. However, this shift could also challenge Togo’s relationship with ECOWAS, as it raises questions about governance, sovereignty, and regional unity in West Africa.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
