💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

From December 8 to 12, 2025, our country was the epicenter of Pan-Africanism. The 9th Pan-African Congress is part of the implementation of the African Union’s 2021-2031 Agenda “Decade of African Roots and the African Diaspora.” Its theme was: “Renewal of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s Role in Reforming Multilateral Institutions: Mobilizing Resources and Reinventing Ourselves for Action.”

By entrusting Togo with the organization of this Congress, the African Union confirms the remarkable work our country has done since the years of independence for Africa’s emancipation and the mobilization of African diasporas for the continent’s development.

Colombia was the guest of honor through the effective presence of its Vice-President, H.E. Ms. Francia MARQUEZ.

I would like to reassure all those who might still doubt that Togo will do everything possible to ensure these decisions do not remain dead letters.

💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

One of the characteristic features of Togo’s foreign policy today is our fight for recognition of the various prejudices inflicted on African peoples and Afro-descendants by slavery, mass deportation, and colonization.

Under the leadership of H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBÉ, we submitted to the African Union Summit, which unanimously adopted it on February 16, 2025, a draft decision qualifying slavery, deportation, and colonization as crimes against humanity and genocide against African peoples.

On January 30, 2025, I was invited to share my views on the Berlin Conference and its implications for Africa, on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of this fateful event. On April 9, 2025, I participated in the conference “The London Conference, 125 Years Later: Pan-Africanism and the Dialogue on Reparations” at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

On October 23, Togo organized a high-level event on the reparation of historical injustices at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

Togo has courage! But we are also aware that this fight will only make sense if it is supported by the majority of African states. It is in this spirit that we have established diplomatic initiatives offering frameworks for dialogue and consultation.

First, the African Political Alliance (APA), launched on May 3, 2023 in Lomé, whose 3rd ministerial conference was held on June 2 on the theme “Africa’s Place in a Changing World: Stakes of Strategic and Diplomatic Repositioning.”

Then, the Lomé Peace and Security Forum (LPSF) which held its second session on October 11-12, 2025 on the theme “Africa Facing Complex Security Challenges: How to Strengthen and Sustain Peace and Stability in a Changing World?”

💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

The commitment to peace and stability in Africa is an essential axis of Togolese diplomacy. Togo favors dialogue, listening, and consultation as means of conflict resolution.

H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBÉ was designated on April 12, 2025 as the African Union mediator in the crisis in Eastern DRC. Immediately after, he traveled to Angola, then to the DRC and Rwanda to meet with Presidents TSHISEKEDI and KAGAME.

We participated in the Doha and Washington processes, which led to the Washington Agreements, signed on December 4, 2025 by the DRC and Rwanda under the impetus of the United States.

On October 30, 2025, Togo and France organized a conference in Paris in support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region.

💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

We have been active on both fronts. In 2025, we took particular care to maintain our ties with traditional allies and expand our network of partners. I can announce the expansion of Togo’s diplomatic network with the opening of an embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Togo-Vietnam diplomatic relations. I started the year with an official visit to Hanoi from January 8-11. On March 13, Togo-Turkey bilateral political consultations were held in Ankara.

From March 18-20, I made an official visit to Cambodia, then from March 23-25 to Singapore. Our relations with the Russian Federation were strengthened, culminating in the President of the Council’s visit to Moscow from November 18-20.

From August 20-22, the President of the Council participated in the 9th TICAD in Yokohama, Japan. With Germany, we had intergovernmental negotiations in Berlin on November 11-12.

💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

Our relations with the European Union are excellent. The EU supports Togo in its sustainable and inclusive development process, in accordance with the “Togo 2025” roadmap.

💬 H.E. Prof. Robert DUSSEY

At the dawn of this new year, I would like to extend to the President of the Council, H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBÉ, the driving force behind the profound reforms that are transforming and modernizing our country day by day, my wishes for health, peace, and prosperity.

I also wish the President of the Republic, H.E. Jean-Lucien SANVEE DE TOVE, that 2026 be a year of health and inner peace for him. I extend these wishes to all my Government colleagues.

I ask the Lord to bless all staff members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Togolese Abroad, who work daily, each at their level, to promote Togolese diplomacy. May they experience progress and prosperity in this year 2026.