On Thursday , April 6 , Togo’s parliament voted to extend the state of security emergency in Sabanes for another 12 months . Authorities are working to prevent jihadist groups ( terrorist groups ) from crossing the border into Burkina Faso .
The state of emergency ended last week after initially being extended for six months in September . It was first announced by President Faure Gnassingbé in June 2022 .
A state of emergency gives security forces and local authorities more flexibility to take urgent action to deal with the threat from armed forces . ” New attempts are ongoing , most of which have been bravely repulsed by our National Guard and security forces , ” said Security Minister Damehame Yak . “
Togo is a fragile country in West Africa squeezed between Benin in the east, Ghana in the west and Burkina Faso in the north. Togo’s northern areas have been subordinated to irruptions since November 2021. similar attacks have swelled in recent months and have been concentrated near the country’s northern rim with Burkina Faso. voluminous areas near the rim are ruled by jihadist groups. This measure aims to make the defense and security forces more resilient to terrorist attacks in these regions.
Gerard Adja , one of the opposition leaders of Dynamique Monseigneur Kpodzro ( DMK ) , said : “The government needs to inform us about the reality that Togo can assess the security situation in the north.”
Since August 2022 , neither the government nor the military has reported on the security situation in High North . Togo’s opposition and civil society groups have repeatedly condemned the authorities ‘ ” silence ” .
By: Muskan kumari, BBA LL.B. of The ICFAI UNIVERSITY, RANCHI, JHARKHAND
