Togo Pursues Membership in Alliance of Sahel States for Strategic Advancement

Togo is exploring membership in the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This move could provide enhanced maritime access, stimulate trade, and foster military cooperation. However, it may also complicate Togo’s relationship with ECOWAS, potentially leading to regional discord. Togo aims to balance its affiliations for strategic advantage.

Togo is considering a strategic partnership with the Alliance of Sahel States, comprised of junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which would significantly enhance the access of these landlocked nations to Togo’s port. The country’s Foreign Minister, Robert Dussey, has indicated the possibility of membership, asserting that it could foster regional cooperation and provide essential maritime access.

Analysts suggest that joining the alliance could offer vital economic opportunities, including access to Nigerien oil and revitalized trade routes, which are of considerable importance given the challenging geopolitical climate. According to Togolese political analyst Madi Djabakate, Togo stands to gain from more efficient military cooperation and intelligence sharing, especially as jihadist movements gain traction in the region.

Togo supports the AES’s strategy focused on reclaiming sovereignty, a sentiment echoed by the junta leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This collaboration marks a shift away from traditional ties with Western nations, particularly France, towards burgeoning relationships with Russia and other allies. Djabakate noted that through engagement with the AES, Togo aligns itself with a pan-African vision of unity among previously fragmented nations.

However, Togo’s inclination towards the AES may serve as a political diversion for President Faure Gnassingbe, who has been in power since 2005. Criticism of a recently adopted constitution that may facilitate his prolonged rule comes from opposition parties and civil society. Academic Francis Akindes remarked on the potential risks of distancing from ECOWAS, highlighting that AES membership could exempt Togo’s regime from the accountability standards imposed by ECOWAS.

Since earlier this year, the AES members have rejected ECOWAS, asserting the bloc’s ineffectiveness and its alleged subservience to France. Togo has historically maintained good relations with these military regimes while acting as a mediator between them and ECOWAS. Djabakate mentioned that Togo could participate in both alliances simultaneously, stating that partnerships are not inherently exclusive.

Nonetheless, Togo’s engagement with the AES may threaten ECOWAS’s coherence, as heading towards the new alliance could hasten its fragmentation, a view supported by Seidik Abba, who warned of deteriorating conditions for ECOWAS. Djabakate affirmed Togo’s intention to remain connected to ECOWAS, noting that Lome’s port is integral to regional connectivity, indicating a careful balance that Togo seeks to maintain between old and new alliances.

Togo’s potential membership in the Alliance of Sahel States reflects a strategic shift towards enhanced regional cooperation amidst growing security challenges. While the prospect holds promising economic benefits, especially in trade and military collaboration, it raises questions about Togo’s commitment to ECOWAS and the implications for regional stability. Overall, Togo navigates this geopolitical landscape with the intention of strengthening its position while remaining tethered to its historical alliances.

Original Source: thedefensepost.com