Togo steps up as mediator in Sahel crisis with new regional strategy

Togo has unveiled a bold new geopolitical and security roadmap for the Sahel region during a pivotal gathering in Lomé on Saturday.

The high-level forum convened key players from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), alongside diplomats from major international partners including France and the European Union. The initiative seeks to reopen channels of communication with Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, nations that have in recent years reassessed their ties with ECOWAS and recalibrated relations with Western allies, increasingly turning toward Moscow for security and economic partnerships.

At the heart of Togo’s mediation push lies a forward-looking 2026–2028 strategy structured around five strategic pillars: sustained political dialogue with the AES, enhanced regional and international collaboration, robust counter-terrorism measures, and deeper economic integration across West Africa. The proposal has already garnered positive feedback from Sahel leaders, who view it as a promising pathway to restoring regional stability.

“Togo stands ready to deploy its deep regional expertise and diplomatic influence as a trusted intermediary, fostering constructive engagement between the Sahel and the global community,” affirmed Robert Dussey, Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The AES delegation underscored the urgency of coordinated security efforts, calling for an immediate halt to foreign military presences perceived as threats to regional peace. “True security cooperation demands the removal of hostile external forces whose actions undermine the sovereignty and stability of neighboring nations,” stressed Abdoulaye Diop, Mali’s Foreign Minister.

Meanwhile, the Sahel continues to grapple with escalating jihadist violence linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which have exacted a devastating toll across vast territories in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The spillover of these extremist networks now threatens coastal neighbors such as Togo and Benin, amplifying the need for unified regional action.