Lome: Togo is preparing to launch a new "Strategy for the Sahel," aiming to bolster regional stability and strengthen economic and trade relations with Sahel countries.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Togo's new strategy follows the expiration of its first Strategy for the Sahel (2021-2025) and seeks to address past shortcomings while integrating recent developments.

Professor Robert Dussey, Togo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the necessity of this new strategy in an interview on the Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website. Dussey emphasized the ongoing security challenges in the Sahel and the geopolitical shifts following the establishment of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS has further underscored the need for a cohesive regional approach.

Dussey detailed Togo's approach, which includes maintaining pragmatic cooperation with ESA states and engaging external partners while preserving national sovereignty. The minister reflected on Togo's prior strategy, which focused on mediation and support for political transitions, citing successful interventions in crises such as the mediation between C´te d'Ivoire and Mali in 2023.

The minister also underscored Togo's role in facilitating the release of Burkinabe Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland and Ivorian soldiers. He praised the country's ongoing dialogue with Burkina Faso and consultations with Nigerien authorities, which have strengthened regional cooperation through mediation, political transition support, and security collaboration.

The new Sahel Strategy is seen as a continuation of Togo's commitment to regional peace and stability, driven by a sense of African fraternity and solidarity. Professor Dussey reaffirmed the importance of this initiative, stating that the region's security depends on the success of the AES and Togo's active participation.