Togo Stays Silent While Jihadists Rush into Northern Burkina
Togo’s Hidden Frontline: Jihadist Infiltration in the North
Remember the fight between good and evil in the classics? Togo’s military is now in the middle of a real‑world sequel, battling stealthy jihadist waves that cross from Burkina Faso into its northern territories. The story is a mix of quiet bravery, government silence, and an urgent call for international cooperation.
The Steady Surge of Hostile Forces
- 62 Lives Lost in 2024 – an alarming double of the entire 2023 death toll, according to Foreign Minister Robert Dussey.
- Since 2022, the first fatal attack in Togo has sparked a relentless exodus of violence into the north.
- The insurgents are linked to both Al‑Qaeda and Islamic State networks, spreading terror across West Africa.
The Ministry’s “Information Lockdown”
Long data: The High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication (HAAC) explicitly forbids journalists from reporting on losses or casualties. The rationale? Keeping troop morale from dipping.
For those who do speak, the messages are grim. Political scientist Madi Djabakate explains Togo’s silent policy as a strategy to avoid demoralization. “We keep the news hidden,” he says, “but the consequences are louder on the ground.”
Porous Borders, Thirst for Victory
Think of Togo as a neighbour of Benin, each with fences that let trouble sneak through. In 2024, Burkina Faso saw the most terror‑related deaths globally, with 1,532 people knocked out of the 7,555 worldwide casualties. Its province Kompienga houses the formidable JNIM, an Al‑Qaeda offshoot.
Close to this border is Kpendjal – the most afflicted prefecture in Togo. Security analyst Mathias Khalfaoui says the “portals” are fuzzy, making the entry of insurgents almost invisible.
Expanding Footprint: Beyond the Borders
- Until 2023, danger mainly bloomed right next to Burkina Faso.
- From May 2024 onwards, jihadists have crept into Oti and South Oti – the new epicenters.
- History suggests there was a quiet month in December 2022, but the shadows have grown thicker since.
The “Absence of the State”
The detachment lies in the worst spot: Kpendjal and its northward neighbor West Kpendjal hail from the “structural absence of the state.” Civil servants duty‑bound to these areas often see their assignments as punishment – the harsh living conditions and inadequate public services play a role.
Togo has assembled ~8,000 soldiers in the region, expanding its defence budget from 8.7% of GDP (2017) to 17.5% (2022) after a sharp upsurge in spending. In 2023 a Emergency Aid Programme kicked off, aimed at easing the straining local conditions.
Why Together We Must Fight
Despite the heavy arms and bolstered budgets, analysts feel the battle needs better coordination across the tarnished regions of West Africa. “It’s about building a united front,” Khalfaoui emphasizes. “A single, well‑timed strike against the insurgents’ slow, methodical tactics can turn the tide.”
