According to an Afrobarometer survey conducted in November 2024, 54% of Togolese citizens support their country’s potential adhesion to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This figure marks a significant shift in public opinion and reflects a growing collective awareness of the need for a new direction in regional integration.
Today, the AES is no longer seen merely as a political-military alliance. It is emerging as a credible alternative to traditional structures such as ECOWAS. Regional organizations that depend on external actors are increasingly perceived as incapable of effectively addressing the challenges facing West Africa. In a context marked by jihadist threats, political instability, and social pressures, sovereign alliances like the AES are gaining traction.
Togo’s particular interest in the AES is no coincidence. As early as January and again in March 2025, Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, publicly stated: “Togo is considering joining the Alliance of Sahel States”. He argued that such a move could strengthen regional cooperation and provide landlocked AES countries with access to the sea. He also added, “Africa is only being used to serve the great powers, and that is not normal”, emphasizing the need for African states to reclaim control over their destinies.
Joining the AES could also be a key lever for improving Togo’s internal security. Without coordinated action, the threat posed by armed groups could spread throughout the region.
In this context, the minister’s statement appears both logical and timely. The AES currently brings together countries that are asserting strategic autonomy, building their own models of security and development, and rejecting external paternalism. The Alliance is now positioning itself as an inclusive platform, ready to welcome new members—provided they share the principles of sovereignty, solidarity, and mutual respect.
