Togo to host a top-class conference on anti-terrorism in West Africa next April

Security

Friday, 11 February 2022 17:04

Togo to host a top-class conference on anti-terrorism in West Africa next April

(Togo First) - Next April, Lomé will host a high-level conference on political transitions and the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and West Africa. This was disclosed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is behind the project. The related press release further notes that Robert Dussey, the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented the project to Antonio Gutierrez, the UN Secretary-General, on Thursday 10 February 2022 in New York.

The meeting will allow the various stakeholders to examine recent trends and developments in the Sahel region and West African countries in the face of violent extremism and terrorism, and to reflect on strategies and means to help contain the terrorist threat.

Amid rising tensions and growing security issues in the sub-region, the planned conference will also be an opportunity to reflect on possible reforms to the actions and mandates of peacekeeping operations, to make sure that they better match needs in the field.

The conference "not only responds to an urgent concern but is also part of Togo's sub-regional and inter-regional strategy to fight terrorism and preserve peace in the Sahel," according to Robert Dussey.

In response to the Togolese official’s presentation, the UN’s SG "welcomed Togo's proactivity on this topical issue and reassured him of the support of the United Nations, which is increasingly concerned about the serious issues of terrorism, crime and coups d'état that are shaking the West African region and some Sahelian countries," the ministry of foreign affairs reported.

Back in September 2021, Togo, let’s recall, presented its strategy for the Sahel, which revolves around levers such as multilateral cooperation, the export of peace, or support for the process of political normalization and democratic transitions.

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.