Togolese Parliament members unanimously voted to extend the state of emergency in the northern Savanes region for an additional 12 months due to ongoing security threats from violent insurgents.
The decision reflects concerns over militant groups infiltrating from Burkina Faso and Mali, posing challenges beyond Togo.
President Faure Gnassingbe declared the initial state of emergency in June 2022, subsequently extending it twice, highlighting the severity of the security crisis.
Colonel Hodabalo Awate, representing the government, reaffirmed the commitment to judiciously deploying this measure to enhance security, stressing its importance for the upcoming elections scheduled for April 20.
Togo’s political landscape, marked by governance issues, saw President Gnassingbe succeeding his father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, in 2005, after his 38-year authoritarian rule.
Despite successive re-elections, opposition concerns about electoral irregularities underscore broader challenges in the democratic process.
Extending the state of emergency demonstrates the government’s resolve to address security threats while navigating towards democratic governance and peaceful elections.
