By Steve Fleitz
Togo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, took the floor at the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh, where he emphasised the importance of an inclusive approach for effective counterterrorism efforts in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.
In his speech, he highlighted that success in combating terrorist groups can only be achieved by considering the interests of all involved countries.
One of the key messages of Dussey's speech was the need to include the countries of the Alliance of Sahelian States, namely Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, in regional counterterrorism strategies.
He made it clear that without the participation of these countries, no real results can be achieved in countering ISIL in West Africa and the Sahel.
“You cannot be effective in countering ISIS in West Africa and the Sahel without involving Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in strategy development, despite the ongoing geopolitical shifts,” stated the minister.
According to Robert Dussey, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso remain crucial partners for stabilising the region. These countries play a decisive role in ensuring security and countering terrorist threats, despite internal political crises and complex relations with the international community. He stressed that any effective solutions aimed at fighting terrorism in the region must include these states.
Additionally, Dussey addressed the issue of trust in international partners. He noted that a significant part of the region's population believes that some international actors are not playing fair in the fight against terrorism, leading to distrust in their actions.
This lack of trust complicates the stabilisation and recovery process of the region, as well as the fight against terrorist groups that continue to operate actively in the Sahel.
Dussey's speech resonated widely, as his position reflects the sentiments of many African leaders who are advocating for regional integration and striving to diversify international partnerships based on mutual trust and respect for sovereignty.
* Steve Fleitz holds a master’s degree in law, political science and international relations from Charles University in Prague. He works as a writer and researcher in political and strategic sciences at the International Center for Political and Strategic Studies.