Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé met in Lomé on Friday, July 25, marking a renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and address shared regional challenges.
The high-level working visit underscored a mutual desire to deepen economic, cultural, and political cooperation between the two West African nations.
At the invitation of President Gnassingbé, President Faye’s visit focused on revitalizing the Joint Commission between Dakar and Lomé to explore new avenues for trade and collaboration.
A joint communiqué from Togo highlighted plans to intensify economic and cultural ties, reflecting the two countries’ ambitions for a more integrated partnership.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the current climate of peace and stability in Senegal and Togo, recognizing it as a cornerstone for sustainable development. They reaffirmed their determination to safeguard these gains amid a complex regional security environment.
Terrorism in the Sahel dominated discussions, with both presidents voicing deep concern over its persistence. They called for enhanced solidarity and regional unity to confront this threat.
President Faye praised President Gnassingbé’s mediation efforts in the Great Lakes region, spotlighting his role as African Union Mediator.
On a continental scale, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to African integration. They welcomed progress on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), urging countries yet to join these initiatives to do so promptly.
Global issues were not overlooked. The presidents called for diplomatic resolutions to the ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, stressing how these conflicts impact African economies.
They also highlighted the urgent need for international cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change, which are increasingly felt in both countries.
Concluding his visit, President Faye thanked his Togolese counterpart for the warm reception and extended an invitation to President Gnassingbé to visit Senegal officially, an offer warmly accepted, signaling strengthened ties and shared goals for West Africa’s future.
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