Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Togo

Country Overview:  JNIM continued posing a threat in Togo near the northern border with Burkina Faso.  The government expanded its terrorism-related state of emergency to include the entire northernmost region and continued restricting access, making it challenging for embassy and international NGO staff to visit the area.  Corruption further constrained these efforts.  Terrorism-related revisions to the criminal procedure and criminal codes remained with Togo’s National Assembly.

Terrorists retaliated against civilians who shared information or cooperated with armed forces. Togo made strides to improve border security and prevent terrorist travel.  In December, Togo opened a criminal analysis cell, funded by the European Union and linked to INTERPOL’s West African Police Information System.  This effort centralized and digitalized police and other records from across Togo, allowing analysts to conduct forensic analysis of investigative data. Togo also implemented the Migration Information and Data Analysis System Border Management Information System at a growing number of border posts.

To counter terrorist recruitment, Togo operated an early warning and indicators program that alerted its headquarters watch center to potential threats or attacks.  Local members (including local leaders, chiefs, and community representatives) were supposed to communicate relevant, timely information, but lacked phone or cell service access.

Since 2018, Togo has participated in periodic cross-border joint military operations, information and intelligence sharing, and training of security and intelligence personnel.  Despite the limited scope and duration of joint operations, member states claimed they led to the arrest of transnational criminal activists and the disruption of terrorist activities.  As part of its mediator role between the Alliance of the Sahel States and the Economic Community of West African States, Togo participated in joint counterterrorism military operations with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Niger in May in Niger.

Togo’s counterterrorist financing efforts remained consistent with previous years.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  JNIM militants carried out dozens of attacks against Togo’s military and civilians.  Methods included IEDs, small arms, forced expulsions from villages, ambushes, hostage taking, cattle rustling, and targeted assassinations.  In total, there were 27 terrorism incidents.

Associated documents