Lome: Under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Togolese Republic, Lome hosted the official launch of the Togo-Sahel Strategy. Togo aims to establish itself as a stabilizing force, fostering dialogue and integration between the Sahel States and those of the Gulf of Guinea, contributing to peace, security, as well as sub-regional and regional development.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the new Togo-Sahel Strategy is organized around five strategic pillars: Togo-ESA political dialogue, good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence, sub-regional cooperation and economic integration, the fight against terrorism and sub-regional defense and security policy, and regional and international diplomacy and cooperation. The Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this strategy is a formal cooperation framework, aligning with current security and geopolitical realities.

The launch event included speeches from various delegations. The Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso commended Togo's approach for putting Sahelian people at the core of the strategy. His Excellency Karamoko Jean Marie Traore highlighted the uniqueness of Togo's strategy, which is developed with a focus on the Sahel and its people.

Ministers from Mali and Niger also supported this view, praising Togo for its inclusive initiative. Burkina Faso's delegation, led by Mr. Bassolma BAZIE of the AES Confederation, showcased the socio-economic achievements of Burkina Faso despite security challenges, and criticized external powers for imposing governance narratives.

Representatives from sub-regional and international organizations, African civil society, and special envoys for the Sahel attended the launch. All parties expressed their readiness to collaborate in implementing the Strategy, aiming for a safer Sahel and West Africa with improved prospects for their populations.