Togo’s foreign minister has revealed that at least 54 civilians and 8 soldiers have been killed in a wave of jihadist attacks this year, marking a rare official confirmation of the growing insecurity in the West African country. In an interview with Reuters, Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said the attacks were carried out by the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). The group has staged at least 15 deadly incidents in northern Togo since January, particularly in areas bordering Burkina Faso.
The north of Togo has become increasingly volatile as extremist groups expand their operations from the Sahel into coastal West African nations. Violence has surged across the region as countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—each led by military governments following recent coups—distance themselves from Western allies and deepen security ties with Russia. Dussey’s comments mark a rare public acknowledgment from Togo’s government, which has often remained tight-lipped on the extent of jihadist violence. Authorities previously focused on security crackdowns and military reinforcement in the Savanes region, where attacks have displaced thousands.
As international partners scale back their presence in the Sahel, West Africa’s coastal states now face growing pressure to contain the spread of extremism. The United Nations and African Union have warned that the fragile security landscape could deteriorate further without coordinated regional responses
