Lomé has been the host city for a significant regional dialogue since Tuesday, June 3, 2026, dedicated to enhancing the prevention agenda across the Gulf of Guinea. This crucial gathering brings together government representatives, regional institutions, United Nations agencies, technical and financial partners, and community stakeholders committed to peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

During the opening remarks, Minister of Security, Calixte Madjoulba, delivered a powerful message. He asserted that in light of the evolving threats confronting West Africa, only a concerted, sustainable, and prevention-focused response can guarantee the sub-region’s long-term stability.

Gulf of Guinea under pressure: terrorism, crime, and climate crisis

In his address, the minister presented an unambiguous assessment. The Gulf of Guinea is grappling with an escalating array of complex security and socio-economic challenges.

Violent extremism, terrorism, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking, the proliferation of light weapons, community tensions, and the impacts of climate change are progressively undermining the social and economic stability of the region.

Adding to these threats are the direct repercussions of the Sahelian crisis, particularly population displacements and the escalating pressure on host communities and local resources.

“No single state can provide a fully effective response on its own,” emphasized Calixte Madjoulba, highlighting that current challenges extend far beyond national borders.

Togo advocates a holistic security vision

The minister stressed that combating insecurity cannot be confined solely to military or police interventions.

“Sustainable security cannot be achieved through a security-only response,” he declared to the participants.

This conviction underpins a core tenet of Togolese public policy, championed by the President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.

The nation’s approach is built on a straightforward principle: concurrently bolstering security, development, and social cohesion to address the root causes of crises.

Reducing inequalities, improving governance, fostering social inclusion, creating youth employment, and strengthening community resilience are all considered vital levers for preventing conflicts effectively and sustainably.

“Protect, gather, transform”: the triptych of togolese public action

Central to this overarching strategy is the triptych of “Protect, Gather, Transform,” which the minister presented as the guiding compass for governmental action.

Protect signifies ensuring the safety of populations and preserving peace.

Gather involves promoting dialogue, strengthening trust between citizens and institutions, and consolidating social cohesion.

Transform means acting decisively on vulnerability factors by expanding economic opportunities, narrowing disparities, and building more resilient communities.

For Calixte Madjoulba, this framework aligns perfectly with the aspirations of the regional dialogue hosted in Lomé.

Moving from commitments to tangible results

The chosen theme for this assembly, “From Commitment to Impact,” underscores the participants’ resolve to translate political ambitions into concrete actions that benefit the populace.

The minister urged states and their partners to move beyond mere declarations and deliver visible results that positively affect the daily lives of citizens.

“Our populations expect effective and tailored responses to their everyday realities,” he emphasized.

According to him, citizens anticipate mechanisms capable of anticipating crises before they materialize, preventing conflicts before they become entrenched, and durably reinforcing the resilience of their territories.

The united nations stands with gulf of Guinea nations

The Togolese official also commended the dedication of the United Nations Development Programme (PNUD), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR).

Through the Joint Prevention Facility 2026-2029 for the Gulf of Guinea, these partners are supporting a vision centered on prevention, community resilience, and inclusive economic development.

For the participants, this initiative represents a significant opportunity to enhance regional cooperation, share best practices, and mobilize necessary resources to confront emerging challenges.

Towards a regional roadmap for peace and resilience

By the conclusion of the two-day discussions, the stakeholders convened in Lomé are expected to outline an ambitious regional roadmap. This roadmap aims to strengthen prevention mechanisms, solidify cross-border cooperation, mobilize sustainable funding, and improve the monitoring of implemented actions.

Through this dialogue, Togo reaffirms its conviction that prevention today represents one of the most strategic investments for ensuring peace, security, and sustainable development throughout the Gulf of Guinea.

In a region confronting multifaceted challenges, the message from Lomé is unequivocal: anticipating crises is more cost-effective than managing them, and prevention remains the paramount guarantee for a stable and prosperous future for its people.