Security in West Africa: Call for collective action

Togolese Prime Minister Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé attended the Aqaba Process summit in Rome, Italy. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the initiative, which was co-chaired by King Abdullah II of Jordan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The summit focused on the security crisis in West Africa, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and inclusive response to transnational challenges. The discussions examined regional security issues and defined strategies to address the root causes of instability, integrating security, development, and governance dimensions. This is part of the Mattei Plan for Africa, an ambitious Italian project aimed at strengthening relations with the African continent.

In his speech, Faure Gnassingbé stressed that "the security of West Africa is no longer a strictly regional issue ." He stressed the importance of a collective response and international solidarity that takes into account African realities. He stated:

"We must fight this fight together, because armed groups do not stop at borders, trafficking feeds global networks and destabilization fuels migration."

The President also addressed the crucial issue of financing security efforts. He advocated that security spending be considered an investment, just like infrastructure. He said:

"Today we can only finance our security by increasing our debt. We cannot continue to penalize peace in this way in the name of short-term orthodoxy."

Faure Gnassingbé also recalled that the fight against terrorism is not limited to the use of force:

"You don't win a war of minds with guns alone. The battle is first fought in the field of information."

He stressed the need for collective and coordinated responses to the exploitation by terrorist groups of weaknesses in security systems.

Therese V.