Togo Would Strategically Benefit by Detaching Its Destiny From ECOWAS, Political Analyst Says

In September 2023, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali formed the AES to strengthen their collaborative security measures and promote socioeconomic progress for their people. In May 2024, the nations endorsed a preliminary agreement outlining the establishment of a confederation.

ECOWAS is in a “very deep” crisis, Burkinabe political analyst Lianhoué Imhotep Bayala told Sputnik Africa, commenting on Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey’s statements that a potential membership in the AES could be well-received by the Togolese population.

“ECOWAS today is a vessel filled with colonial concepts and which no longer has its own destiny outside of the dictates of Paris, outside of the dictates of the Western bloc and Western countries,” he explained.

Bayala also suggested that ECOWAS lending its territory to “military invasion projects” could prompt other nations to either join the AES or form new alliances.

“We must always remember that Togo is a sufficiently strategic country that has remained very close to the opinions of the AES countries,” he emphasized.

Lomé has not sided with other ECOWAS members and has not hesitated to express “its profound disillusionment with Western patronage,” the expert noted.

Togo Could Say ‘Yes’ to Joining AES, Country’s Foreign Minister Says

According to the analyst, joining the AES would allow Lomé to “strengthen its port and airport infrastructure” and become a “major maritime hub” for the alliance countries.

Furthermore, Togo could gain from the anti-terrorism experience of the three AES member nations, he added.

Ekaterina Shilova