H.E.Ms. Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe, the Prime Minister of Togo officially opened the 1st Lomé Forum on Peace and Security. It was in the presence of the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Léonardo Santos Simão. The work addresses political transitions and democratic governance in Africa.
The meeting was initiated by Togo and the African Political Alliance (APA). It records the participation of representatives of African and non-African governments, high-level experts, civil society organizations, academics, media, international organizations, business and professional organizations.
The work takes place under the general theme: “How to strengthen political transitions towards democratic governance in Africa”.
According to the head of government of Togo, the Lomé Forum on Peace and Security or Lome Peace and Security Forum (LPSF) is being held at a time when humanity is facing immense challenges in the governance of peace and security. security depriving countries of peaceful prospects for harmonious development.
Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé lists the political uncertainties, security threats as well as the wind of economic and financial crises.
“This forum is intended to be an opportunity for informed exchanges and shared reflections on the necessary endogenous appropriation of our collective approach to democratic consolidation. It is a space conducive to the emergence of proposals of bold relevance and realism,” declared Ms. Tomegah-Dogbé.
Among the personalities present, the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Léonardo Santos Simão, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, the foreign ministers of Chad, Central Africa, Burkina Faso and Mali.
Prof Robert Dussey, Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined the commitment of Togolese diplomacy to work for a peaceful Africa less vulnerable to shocks. All this in accordance with the guidelines of the Togolese head of state, Faure Gnassingbé.
“In this sense, Togo launched with other countries last May in Lomé the African Political Alliance (APA) which is a framework for consultation, political dialogue and common actions based on historical ties of brotherhood and principles of sovereign equality of States, independence, interdependence and unity of actions,” said Prof Dussey.
The head of Togolese diplomacy specified that the Lomé Forum on Peace and Security serves as a permanent framework for reflection with a view to formulating realistic recommendations to decision-makers involved in the management of the continent’s political and security crises.
Likewise, it will provide a space to undertake a process of dialogue and mediation.
For this first edition of Lomé Peace and Security Forum, 5 panels will be organized. Participants will discuss the factors of fragility of state institutions in Africa; political and security challenges that hinder the transition to democratic governance; the establishment of strong institutions and the rule of law in Africa; or the role of sub-regional and international organizations in supporting transitions. Without forgetting the mobilization of African innovation and agility.
At the end of this 1st edition of the Lomé Forum on Peace and Security, relevant proposals and recommendations are expected by the participants.
