Jihadist groups infiltrate Togo's northern region, but the country remains silent about the situation in Burkina Faso.
In the past year, jihadist attacks have extended beyond the borderlands of Togo, posing a significant challenge to the West African nation. This concerning development has been noted by various experts, including west African security specialist Mathias Khalfaoui.
The north of Togo, the poorest and least developed part of the country, presents a particular challenge due to its dire economic situation. Khalfaoui suggests that the slow and methodical nature of the jihadist advance could potentially go unnoticed.
Recent reports indicate a surge in jihadist unrest in Togo's north, with armed fighters linked to Al-Qaeda or Islamic State gaining ground across west Africa. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked group based in the Kompienga province in Burkina Faso, has been identified as a key player in this region.
The Togolese government has been tight-lipped about covert infiltration by jihadists, and the High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) has forbidden journalists from mentioning attacks or losses in Togo. However, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey has confirmed that at least 62 people have been killed by jihadists in Togo since January.
To combat this threat, Togo has deployed around 8,000 soldiers to the affected region and increased its defense budget significantly. The budget has ballooned from 8.7 percent of GDP in 2017 to 17.5 percent in 2022.
Analysts believe that the situation in Togo is unlikely to improve without better coordination on tackling jihadism between countries in a divided west Africa. Djabakate, another security analyst, argues that Togo's current approach to the jihadist issue is essentially military and repressive, and that the affected prefectures in Togo suffer from a structural absence of the state.
Civil servants posted to the affected areas in Togo perceive their assignment as a punishment due to the harsh living conditions and absence of public services. In response, the Togolese government launched an emergency aid programme in 2023 to improve living conditions for Togolese in the north.
As the jihadist threat continues to evolve, it is crucial for Togo and its neighbours to work together to address this complex issue and ensure the safety and security of their citizens. The expansion of jihadists' scope in Togo, as highlighted by Khalfaoui, underscores the urgency of this situation.
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