Togo's potential membership of the AES
On 16 January 2025, the Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey mentioned the possibility of Togo joining the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Is this an announcement designed to raise eyebrows, or is it a realistic move?
The AES is gradually distancing itself from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a desire to break with certain principles of governance and regional cooperation.
Togo's motivations for joining the AES cannot be separated from President Faure Gnassingbé, as he decides the direction of his state's foreign policy. His aims are diplomatic and economic security. Since 2023, Togo has been facing unprecedented security challenges, mainly in the north of the country. By joining the AES, Togo would strengthen its counter-terrorism strategies. The AES countries' main motivation for their alliance is to meet such security challenges.
On the economic front, the Togolese government wants to position the deep-water port of Lomé as a gateway to the sea for AES countries. By becoming a member of the AES, Togo could facilitate imports and exports, making it an essential member of this alliance.
However, Togo's membership of the AES would impact its relations with ECOWAS, UEMOA, the African Union and the European Union. This could be seen by other ECOWAS countries as an act of defiance. What is more, it may be doubted if the AES has real interest in integrating Togo into its alliance, as the AES countries and Togo have little in common. In this light, Minister Robert Dussey's statement should be interpreted as an announcement intended to strike a chord rather than a realistic political intention.
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