This dyad belongs to the conflict Togo: Government
Summary of conflict Togo: Government
The conflict over government in Togo has been pursued by two rebel groups; the Togolese Movement for Democracy (MTD), and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). In 1986, Togo experienced a brief period of armed conflict as the exiled opposition party MTD led an armed attempt to overthrow President Gnassingbé Eyadéma. After decades of relative peace and stability, Togo was targeted by the al-Qaeda-affiliated group JNIM. In 2022, the conflict became active as JNIM launched several armed attacks in Togo with the aim of establishing Sharia law as the governing system for the entire West Africa region.
In 2025, the conflict between the Government of Togo and JNIM remained active, reaching its highest level of violence. The violence continued to be centered in northern Togo, specifically the Savanes reigon. During the year, JNIM targeted military positions close to the Burkinabe border and also continued to make use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), targeting military patrols, however, causing civilian fatalities.
One-party rule and an attempted coup d’état
In 1967, Gnassingbé Eyadéma ascended to power through a military coup. Although he proceeded to hold several elections, these were generally held to be predetermined to result in his victory, and Togo, in effect, became a one-party state under Eyadéma’s RPT (Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais; Togolese Peoples Rally). Meanwhile, an opposition party, the MTD (Mouvement Togolais pour la Démocratie; Togolese Movement for Democracy) was set up in Paris. During the 1980s and 1990s, brewing discontent with Eyadéma’s rule resulted in several attempted coups. One of these, in September 1986, reached the level of an armed conflict.
On the evening of 23 September 1986, fighting broke out in the capital Lomé. Some 60-70 armed men attacked strategic targets, including the radio station, military barracks housing President Eyadéma, and RPT headquarters. Fighting also broke out to the west of the capital, near the border with Ghana. Following a night of clashes, the rebels were defeated by government forces. After some continued instability, a small contingent of French and Zairean troops were deployed in Togo to stabilize the situation.
The goal of the rebels was reportedly to depose Eyadéma and install a new government under the leadership of MTD leader Gilchrist Olympio and a dissident army officer named Francisco Lawson. It was also claimed that the rebels had been backed by Ghana and Burkina Faso, who allegedly had assisted in recruiting, arming, and training the rebels. However, these allegations were rejected by the two neighboring states.
Discontent and instability continued in the years following the brief armed conflict. Realizing the threats, Eyadéma took steps toward democratization, including the legalization of opposition parties. In 1991, Gilchrist Olympio returned to Togo to participate in a national conference which led to the establishment of a transitional government led by Joseph Kokou Koffigoh, and Olympio founded the political party UFC (Union des forces pour le changement; Union of Forces for Change) in 1992.
Regional Instability Deepens: JNIM's Incursion into Togo
Driven by their primary objective of establishing Sharia law as the prevailing governing system across the entire West African region, JNIM initiated armed conflicts in various countries within the region after emerging in Mali. Initially focusing their efforts on Burkina Faso, the group subsequently redirected their attention towards Niger. As violence escalated throughout much of the Sahel region in Africa and seeped into coastal West Africa, Togo proactively took measures to strengthen its defenses along its borders with Burkina Faso. Recognizing the need to uphold security in the Savanes region, the Togolese government bolstered its military presence by deploying soldiers as part of the Koundjoare operation, which was first launched in 2018. The operation aimed to prevent infiltration by violent extremists.
Despite largely evading the mounting jihadist violence emanating from the Sahel region for several years, Togo encountered increasing difficulties in repelling attacks within its own territory since November 2021. It was during this time that the armed forces successfully repelled the first-ever jihadist terrorist attack on Togolese soil, marking a significant turning point in the country's battle against terrorism. In 2022, the state-based conflict between the Togolese government and JNIM became active. On 11 May 2022, JNIM made their first claim in Togo. The group had targeted an army post in Koundjoare commune and killed eight soldiers, with government forces killing 15 JNIM militants in response. The attack was the most violent event of 2022 and 2023.
