Northern Togo Under Siege: Growing Threat from Armed Groups

The security climate in northern Togo continues to deteriorate under the growing threat from armed groups. The latest terrorist attack happened on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at around 9 pm, at Go ahead, an area located 6 km south of the canton of Brought, also the capital of the commune of west Kpendjal 2. According to local sources, armed elements invaded the village, threatening the residents and ordering them to leave the area as soon as possible.

Series of Violence Shakes the Region

This is the latest in a series of violence that has shaken the region. The previous Friday, the city of Malgbongou was the target of another attack which cost the lives of eight people. Barely ten days earlier, terrorists had already threatened the populations there, burned down shops and sowed panic among residents.

Heavy Toll and Destabilization

During October, nearly ten more attacks were carried out in Kpendjal, with a heavy toll of 31 dead. Ponio Districts, Malgbongou, Ducks, and their surrounding areas have become prime targets for these armed groups, who take advantage of the weakness of security systems to sow terror and further destabilize a region already weakened by massive population movements.

Internally Displaced People in Peril

The situation is even more worrying as these areas are home to a large number of internally displaced people, who are forced to flee the surrounding villages due to frequent attacks.

These families, who are already vulnerable, see their meager means of subsistence reduced to nothing by the attackers, who do not hesitate to burn houses, shops, and fields at harvest time.

Shrinking Shelter Space

Faced with the growing threat, many residents have no choice but to leave their land to take refuge in areas they hope will be safer.

However, with the spread of attacks to several nearby locations, the shelter space is shrinking day by day, leaving the displaced in greater uncertainty.

Need for Strengthened Security

The increase in attacks by non-state armed groups in the western prefecture of Kpendjal raises more and more questions among public opinion about the need to strengthen security in these areas.

Now the population lives in constant fear of new attacks. The attackers appear to have targeted areas where the military presence is weak, increasing attacks in largely deserted villages.

Urgent Measures Needed

It is therefore desirable that urgent measures are taken to secure these areas and protect civilians, especially the large number of internally displaced people who find refuge there.

The establishment of new permanent military posts, as well as regular patrols, could deter jihadists and restore a climate of security in these vulnerable villages.