The National Assembly met on Thursday April 6, 2023 in its first plenary session of the first ordinary session of the year, under the leadership of the Honorable Yawa Djigbodi Tsègan, President of this institution. This session, which welcomed the presence of the majority of deputies, was devoted to the study and adoption of the bill authorizing the extension of the state of security emergency for twelve months. The new extension occurring at the request of the government, in accordance with the Constitution in its article 94, aims to create a favorable environment tending to ensure optimal protection of the populations of the Savannah Region, as well as their property. The work took place in the presence of members of the government and officers of the Togolese Armed Forces.
The PA, Ms. Tsègan (middle) and the parliamentary secretaries agreed to the extension request.
Togo, like other countries in the West African sub-region, has for some time been the victim of several terrorist attacks in its northern part. They specifically target the defense and security forces deployed within the framework of the Koundjoaré operation, but also the populations who have long gone about their occupations and their property freely. In order to effectively combat these threats and attacks on the integrity of the territory, the Head of State decreed a state of security emergency on June 13, 2022, to cover all prefectures and municipalities. of the Savannah region. Yesterday, during their plenary session, the deputies adopted the bill extending the state of security emergency. According to the government’s motivations, this new request for extension, in accordance with the fundamental law (article 94), aims to maintain the vigilance of the populations, to put the defense and security forces (FDS) in the best possible conditions and to adapt the fight according to the evolution of the situation. Spread over twelve (12) months, starting March 13, 2023, this extension request follows the previous six-month extension, which expired on March 12, while the climate of insecurity is still worrying with regard to the persistence of new attempts, fortunately rejected.
Government Commissioners Yark and Trimua (front) and their aides.
The implementation of the state of security emergency has enabled the government to take essential measures to put out of harm’s way the terrorist groups that have been raging for years in the sub-region and to protect the populations concerned, as well as their property.
Make available to the State the legal means to continue the fight against this scourge
Following the unanimous vote, the government commissioners, Gal Damehame Yark of Security and Civil Protection and Christian Trimua in charge of Human Rights, in turn congratulated the National Representation for this very important act which provides the State with the legal means necessary to continue the fight against this asymmetrical scourge in which Togo is engaged (against its will) and of which it knows neither the enemy nor the rules of the game. They have therefore affirmed that with the bundle of texts and counting on the firm determination and the devotion of the FDS, Togo, at the end of the twelve months, will be able to control the situation and give back to the populations the hope and the taste of the good life of yesteryear .
By this gesture of raised hands voted the law.
Responding to certain concerns of the deputies, they reassured of the frank collaboration in this fight with the neighboring countries. They promised to do everything possible to facilitate the process of the upcoming regional elections in the North and to present regular reports on national defense activities and particularly on the military programming law.
The President of the National Assembly, Yawa Djigbodi Tsègan, for her part, sent all the support of her institution to the valiant fighters who, night and day, keep watch so that the country triumphs over the sowers of desolation and terror.
The state of emergency was declared for a period of three months from June 13, 2022. At the end of this period, on September 12, 2022, the government requested an extension of this period for an additional six months, to from September 13. This new period expired on March 12, hence the need for a twelve-month extension, this time, to fully control the situation.
Zeus POUH-PEKA
