News · Togolese Diplomacy
Interview on France 24
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Security and Defense
Robert Dussey nevertheless acknowledges the presence of foreign trainers working on delivered equipment
There are no Africa Corps (ex-Wagner) mercenaries in Togo, but there are Russian trainers working on military equipment delivered by that country. That is in essence what Robert Dussey, Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated on Wednesday during an interview on France 24.
This statement comes after the opposition voiced concerns in July about the alleged presence of “foreign forces” in the north of the country, citing in particular Russian mercenaries from the paramilitary group Africa Corps and Turkish forces from the private military company Sadat.
“I’m telling you it is false… We do not have Russian mercenaries,” the minister asserted.
He nevertheless acknowledged the presence of foreign trainers alongside Togolese forces, explaining that, like France, China or the United States, Moscow provides training for equipment it has delivered. “When you buy a French helicopter, an American helicopter, a Chinese helicopter or a Russian helicopter, of course trainers come to train our defense and security forces, to train the pilots,” he explained.
Extreme insecurity persists in the north
Since late 2021, Togo’s far north has faced incursions by jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which have plagued the neighboring Sahel for a decade and are gradually spreading toward coastal countries.
Robert Dussey said he was concerned about the situation, particularly in Mali, where jihadist groups have regained the initiative on the ground, while advocating dialogue with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger: “The solution is not to isolate these countries,” he insisted, describing them as a “kind of dike against violent extremism.” He nevertheless felt that “the far north of Togo is much more peaceful today than it was four years ago.”
News · Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Lomé