On April 18, 2026, Togo officially announced its ambition to act as a diplomatic bridge between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso—and the broader international community, during the launch of its new Sahel strategy in Lomé.
Speaking at the high-level meeting, Robert Dussey emphasized Togo’s readiness to leverage its mediation expertise and regional positioning to foster dialogue and stability. The new 2026–2028 strategy replaces the 2021 framework and is built on five core pillars, including political dialogue with AES members, enhanced regional and international cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, and stronger economic integration.
The initiative comes amid a major geopolitical shift in West Africa. The AES countries, led by military governments, have distanced themselves from Western partners, notably France, while strengthening ties with Russia. At the same time, they face escalating terrorist threats linked to groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS, with violence increasingly spreading toward coastal states such as Togo and Benin.
Regional leaders welcomed the inclusive nature of the strategy. Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré praised the approach for placing Sahelian countries at the center of decision-making, while Abdoulaye Diop highlighted the importance of involving AES members in both the design and implementation of the framework.
The meeting also reflected ongoing tensions following the withdrawal of AES countries from ECOWAS. Omar Alieu Touray called for reconciliation, likening relations to a family experiencing temporary disagreements. Meanwhile, João Cravinho urged stakeholders to de-escalate divisions, as international partners—including France, represented by Christophe Guilhou—reaffirmed their concern over the region’s fragile security architecture.
Through this strategy, Togo seeks to position itself as a key mediator capable of bridging divides and promoting a coordinated response to the Sahel’s complex political and security challenges.
Source: L’EXPRESSION
