Togo: Increased security ahead of legislative and regional elections

Togo’s Ministry of Security and Civil Protection recently conducted a comprehensive training exercise in Sokodé, aimed at bolstering the operational readiness of 800 agents comprising the joint gendarmerie-police force in the Central region.

Held on Saturday, March 16, and attended by regional prefects and mayors, the exercise involved simulations of various scenarios, including election operations, post-incident disorder management, and securing people and voting materials.

This training initiative follows the establishment of the «Security Force for the 2024 Legislative and Regional Elections» (FOSELR 2024) by decree on February 8, 2024.

This specialized force, operating under the oversight of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, is tasked with ensuring a peaceful and secure environment before, during, and after the upcoming legislative and regional elections scheduled for April 20, 2024.

The Sokodé exercise was instrumental in preparing security forces to effectively respond to potential challenges during the electoral process, emphasizing emergency response and the protection of citizens and electoral materials.

The presence of regional prefects and mayors underscored the collaborative efforts between local authorities and security forces in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections.

As Togo approaches the election date, these training efforts and the establishment of FOSELR 2024 reflect the government’s commitment to facilitating peaceful, transparent, and secure elections, while safeguarding democratic rights and maintaining stability throughout the electoral process.

Kodjovi Makafui