Lomé – Togo and the United States held talks last week to strengthen bilateral collaboration on security, migration, and development, officials said on Friday.
Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo’s Council of Ministers, received Christian Jové Ehrhardt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, in Lomé. The meeting marked part of ongoing dialogue between Lomé and Washington aimed at reinforcing cooperation across multiple sectors.
“I had a meeting with His Excellency the President of the Council of Ministers. We discussed the strong cooperation between the United States and Togo. Our relationship dates back to Togo’s independence, and we explored ways to further strengthen it. I am very proud. This is my first visit to Togo, which is a great country,” Jové Ehrhardt said after the discussions.
The United States is a longstanding partner of Togo, providing support in security, governance, and social development. Security cooperation has intensified in recent years amid regional threats from violent extremism. U.S. assistance contributes to the Emergency Program for the Savanes Region (PURS), a Togolese initiative designed to stabilize northern communities and enhance resilience to security risks. The program benefits from international backing, including support from the U.S., partially through the Coastal States Stability mechanism.
Military collaboration is also part of the partnership. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) works closely with Togolese forces to improve training, operational coordination, and preparedness against transnational threats. These efforts aim to strengthen Togo’s capacity to counter violent extremism and safeguard border regions.
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Beyond security, Washington supports projects in health, education, and governance, reflecting a broad development agenda. Both countries are also exploring opportunities to expand trade and investment, responding to evolving geopolitical dynamics in West Africa.
The discussions signal Togo’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with international partners and the United States’ strategic interest in enhancing stability and development across the Gulf of Guinea region.
By building on longstanding cooperation, both sides aim to reinforce security, address migration challenges, and promote socio-economic development in Togo.
Togo has maintained close diplomatic and development ties with the United States since gaining independence in 1960. The partnership spans security, governance, health, education, and economic development. In recent years, regional threats from violent extremism in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea have prompted intensified U.S. engagement, including military training and support for resilience programs in northern Togo.
The Emergency Program for the Savanes Region (PURS) exemplifies these efforts, aiming to stabilize communities exposed to security risks while promoting social cohesion. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) also collaborates with Togolese forces to strengthen operational capabilities and coordination against transnational threats.
Togo’s strategic location in West Africa and ongoing migration and development challenges make it a key partner for the U.S., which supports initiatives that combine security, governance, and economic growth to enhance regional stability.
This context helps explain why high-level discussions on security, migration, and development were recently held in Lomé.
