Togo: Lomé seals military pact with Moscow to counter regional threats
Lomé and Moscow have taken a new step in their bilateral cooperation with the approval, on July 22, 2025, by the Russian legislative commission of a military framework agreement between the two states. Signed a few months earlier, this partnership includes the organization of joint exercises, the training of Togolese military personnel, intelligence sharing on security matters, as well as emergency medical assistance provided free of charge by the host state.
This alliance comes amid a resurgence of jihadist attacks in the Savanes region in northern Togo and reflects Lomé’s intention to diversify its security partnerships in response to emerging threats. Still awaiting parliamentary ratification on the Togolese side, the agreement aligns with the country’s multipolar cooperation strategy, already evident through similar engagements signed by Russia with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
While some observers welcome this move as a tool to enhance Togo’s security sovereignty, others view it as a potential source of geopolitical tension, particularly with ECOWAS, an organization in which Lomé remains a key player. Despite these concerns, Faure Gnassingbé’s government appears to be steadily advancing its diversification diplomacy, leveraging its logistical assets and regional role—especially through the autonomous port of Lomé—to strengthen its international position.
