As Congress gears up to discuss the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the US has significant chances to enhance its strategic ties in Africa—something that could shape regional stability for many years ahead. West Africa is particularly critical in this context.
This year, General Michael Langley, the African commander, issued a grave warning about terrorist groups targeting West African coastlines. The aim, he noted, is to increase the likelihood of threats reaching the US, not just affecting African nations. It’s hard to believe, but terrorist attacks in northern Togo, once considered unthinkable, have now become alarmingly realistic. There’s a pressing need for the United States to collaborate closely with reliable partners to fight extremism in vulnerable regions and bolster local governance.
Togo must be at the forefront.
As the most enthusiastic and capable defense partner along the West African coast, Togo has developed a robust framework for cooperation with the US over the last decade. This includes joint military training, intelligence sharing, and maritime patrols focused on countering terrorism in the region. Our military regularly engages in US-led exercises like Flintlock, aimed at boosting special operations and counter-terrorism skills across the Sahel, as well as Obangame Express, which enhances maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
These collaborative efforts do more than just improve capabilities; they foster genuine operational trust.
At home, Togo has made national security a priority, increasing its defense budget from 8.7% of total government spending in 2017 to 17.5% in 2022. This investment is aimed at modernizing its military and enhancing readiness. These initiatives have turned our partnership into a model for regional stability.
As Major General Kenneth Ekman of Africom noted in November 2024, “The partnership between Africom and the Togolese military is vital for promoting peace and security in the West African region.”
This partnership aligns well with the previous administration’s shift toward a more minimalist US defense presence in Africa, emphasizing local partners to take the lead against cross-border threats. Togo has embraced this strategy, enhancing its operational capabilities and taking on greater local responsibilities.
As General Langley said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, “Empowering African partners to tackle security issues and enhance regional stability will lessen the long-term need for US security assistance.”
Togo serves as a prime example of sustainable, partner-driven security collaboration.
While US laws curb certain types of direct support to Sahel countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, information-sharing remains a critical and permissible avenue. Section 7008 of the Annual Budget Act restricts most security assistance, but these limits don’t extend to partners like Togo. This means the US can still provide invaluable intelligence to Togo, assisting in threat detection throughout the Sahel.
If the right frameworks are established, Togo can function as a reliable channel for coordination, ensuring US intelligence is effectively utilized.
The threat from the terrorist network in the Sahel is substantial. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index shows the region accounts for over half of all global terrorist deaths. Established groups like the al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’At Nasr Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin and the Islamic State of the Greater Sahara exploit porous borders and weak governance to extend their influence.
These extremist groups are not confined to the Sahel anymore; they’re moving southward into Togo, Ghana, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire, engaging in smuggling, arms trafficking, and financial crimes.
For international stakeholders invested in West Africa, the implications for regional security are significant. Stability is essential for economic growth and trade across Africa. The Gulf of Guinea, which includes Togo’s Lomé Port—the deepest port on the West African coast—serves as a critical economic lifeline, but rising terrorist activity poses a severe threat to this corridor.
The United States cannot withdraw from the Sahel; allowing extremist groups to spread unchecked is not an option. By strengthening ties with capable partners like Togo and leveraging it as a hub for regional intelligence, the US can regain its strategic footing and combat the spread of extremist and criminal networks.
The road ahead is likely to be challenging. Yet with the right partners, tools, and political commitment, we can manage this crisis before it escalates. The rise of terrorism in the Sahel isn’t just a local or regional issue; it’s a direct threat to global stability and US national security. These unchecked networks can radicalize and export violence well beyond Africa’s borders. Togo stands ready to confront this threat alongside the United States, ensuring not just peace, but also prosperity across the continent.
