Togo Set to Join West African Military-Led Regional Alliance

Togo is reportedly preparing to align with West African nations under military rule, signaling a major shift in regional politics and security dynamics.

Togo is actively contemplating membership in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional coalition established by the military governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This alliance has the potential to transform trade and security landscapes in West Africa.

Foreign Minister Robert Dussey has increased his interactions with the AES, which was originally formed in 2023 as a defense agreement but has since expanded into a more comprehensive cooperative framework. In January, Dussey indicated that joining the alliance was “not impossible,” but he has recently expressed a more definitive intention.

“Togo is evaluating the possibility of joining the AES, a strategic move that could enhance regional collaboration and provide member nations with access to maritime routes,” Dussey remarked in a social media update last week.

For the landlocked countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which are grappling with jihadist threats, access to a coastal port is vital. Their strained relations with Ivory Coast and Benin, perceived as too closely aligned with Western interests, have already led them to reroute trade through Togo’s Lomé port and Ghana’s Tema port. Analysts believe that Togo’s potential accession could further strengthen these connections.

“There is optimism for economic solidarity: access to Nigerien oil and revitalized trade routes,” noted Togolese political analyst Madi Djabakate. “Togo could also gain from enhanced military collaboration and intelligence sharing with its neighbors.”

The northern region of Togo, which borders Burkina Faso, has experienced an uptick in jihadist activities, underscoring the importance of security cooperation with its Sahelian counterparts. The AES has committed to establishing a joint military force of 5,000 troops, a development that aligns with Togo’s support for the bloc’s sovereignty-centered policies.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have distanced themselves from France and Western alliances, opting to strengthen ties with Russia and other partners. Djabakate views Togo’s involvement as part of a broader pan-African movement.

“By engaging with the AES, Togo is contributing to a pan-African narrative where nations, historically divided, are now coming together.”