The Togo National Social Security Fund (CNSS) announces a life check operation starting from May 2nd to June 30th, 2024. 

This online operation will collect biometric data of beneficiaries living in Togo and abroad through the Biosecu app on the CNSS electronic portal or via a dedicated link. 

It covers all pensioners and annuitants regularly paid until the end of April 2024, ensuring pension and annuity payments for the second half of 2024.

The CNSS aims to ensure effective management of social benefits while complying with security and transparency standards. Ingrid Awade, the institution's Director-General, emphasizes that benefits for those who do not undergo this operation will be suspended from July 2024, in line with the social security code.

"To participate, beneficiaries need a valid ID, an operational phone number, and the receipt from their last life check."

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé recently attended a high-level meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, focusing on combating terrorism across Africa. The gathering, themed "Strengthening Cooperation and Regional Institutions to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa," convened African leaders to discuss the issues posed by terrorism and explore innovative strategies to fight it.

During the talks, President Gnassingbé emphasized the critical need for international funding to support counterterrorism efforts and underscored the importance of bolstering military collaboration among nations facing unique security situations. "Terrorism poses a fundamental threat to our states," he remarked. "Therefore, defeating terrorism remains our paramount objective. Achieving this goal in our sub-region hinges on robust interstate cooperation and the ability to effectively navigate multifaceted threats and asymmetric conflicts."

Gnassingbé also called for enhanced coordination among defense and security forces, urging regional leaders to consider instituting reforms and establishing a "new military cooperation organization." Such an initiative, he explained, would play a pivotal role in combating terrorism while taking into account broader global dynamics. "Through a reimagined organizational framework," he noted, "we can effectively address the scourge of terrorism while acknowledging the broader international context."

In Togo, the fight against terrorism extends beyond military responses, encompassing social and civic initiatives targeting vulnerable communities. Notable efforts include the Emergency Program for the Savanes Region (PURS), spearheaded by the President, and the Social Cohesion Project for the Northern Regions of the Gulf of Guinea (COSO), supported by the World Bank. These programs aim to address security threats while promoting social cohesion and resilience among affected populations.

The Togolese branch of the ECOWAS Committee for the Management of Health Program Funds officially launched operations on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024. The inaugural meeting, held in Lome, outlined its mission and plans for the year.

This committee, mirrored across other ECOWAS member states, is primarily tasked with guiding, coordinating, and aiding in achieving the goals of projects and programs aimed at enhancing Togolese health indicators. Its actions are designed to reduce the risk of failure in projects undertaken by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) through monitoring, among other measures. The committee aims to boost the visibility of WAHO’s initiatives in Togo.

Committee President Baros Bacar Banjai highlighted the new inclusive policy, which involves targeted individuals in each ECOWAS member state. “This ensures monitoring in the execution of activities/projects and mandates the proper functioning of structures benefiting from grants, with the hope of good performance,” Banjai said. This approach is expected to not only enhance the funding of priority and urgent health programs but also bolster transparency in action execution.

WAHO, the ECOWAS entity dedicated to health issues, was established in 1987. Its main mission is to deliver the highest quality of healthcare to the sub-region’s populations by harmonizing member states’ policies, pooling resources, and fostering cooperation among member and non-member countries to collaboratively address the health problems of the sub-region.

Esaïe Edoh

The Constitutional Court of Togo welcomed two new members, Payadowa Boukpessi and Kwame Meyisso, on Saturday, April 20. They were sworn in during a ceremony attended by President Faure Gnassingbé.

"You will be joining the distinguished members of the Constitutional Court at a crucial time in our nation's life, where our country is making major choices that are decisive for the future of democracy and the rule of law", Gnassingbé told the new members at the swearing-in ceremony.

Payadowa Boukpessi, a former Minister of Territorial Administration, and Kwame Meyisso, the former President of the ECOWAS Court of Auditors, are among nine members of the Constitutional Court. 

According to Article 100 of the Togolese Constitution, the Court consists of nine members with good reputations, appointed for a non-renewable six-year term. The Court has the power to resolve disputes related to presidential, legislative, and senatorial elections, as well as referendums, ensuring the Constitution's provisions are upheld.

Esaïe Edoh

After a second reading, the Togolese Assembly approved a new Constitution on April 19, 2024. The vote was decisive, with 87 members backing the proposal, surpassing the required four-fifths majority.

This transition from the Fourth to the Fifth Republic marks a pivotal moment in Togo's political landscape. The initial draft of the new Constitution sparked intense debates nationwide, prompting President Faure Gnassingbé to call for a second review by Parliament. After extensive national consultations, the revised text was endorsed, incorporating some adjustments.

A four-year Presidential term

Key changes include a shift from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system, with clearer guidelines for presidential candidacy and the establishment of distinct legal jurisdictions. Notably, the presidential term will now be four years, with the possibility of one re-election, and the President will take an oath before Congress.

Furthermore, the new Constitution defines the candidacy process for the President of the Council, outlines the status of former presidents, and introduces a Council of State and a tribunal of conflicts as regular courts.

This evolution underscores the heightened role of the National Assembly and the Senate in Togo's governance, signaling a more participatory approach to decision-making.

Before becoming official, the new Constitution requires approval from the current head of state. Its adoption precedes the upcoming legislative and regional elections scheduled for April 29.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The West African Economic and Monetary Union's central bank, BCEAO, reported a robust triple-digit increase in revenue from its external assets, reflecting its effective resource management. However, despite this surge, the gains fell short of the potential returns had the funds been invested in the accounts of the French Treasury.

In its latest financial report, BCEAO revealed that its external assets yielded CFA177 billion ($287.3 million) for the fiscal year 2023, marking a significant 112% increase from the previous year.

This marks the second consecutive year since BCEAO started to manage its entire foreign currency reserves outside the French Treasury's accounts. The hike in revenue was fueled by various factors, including improved returns from assets denominated in currencies other than those of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), witnessing a notable uptick of 139%. Furthermore, interest income surged by 74%, while a considerable portion of reserves, totaling CFA3,660.5 billion, was strategically invested in state-issued securities.

Despite this performance, the institution acknowledged that the gains realized were lower compared to the potential returns from investing in the French Treasury. An analysis by Ecofin Agency suggested that the majority of WAEMU countries’ reserves garnered an average yield of 0.94%. This lower return underscores a notable discrepancy, especially when contrasted with the 4.75% marginal lending facility rate offered by the European Central Bank. Currently, this rate remunerates foreign currency assets held in accounts by the Cemac countries and the Comoros, still operating under the former monetary cooperation framework with France.

Despite the institution's good fiscal performance, some areas remain opaque. The BCEAO's financial report did not provide sufficient insight into the management of the WAEMU's foreign exchange reserves, particularly regarding investment strategies. However, it is known that a significant portion of external assets was provided by the IMF, generating the highest foreign exchange revenues, totaling CFA85.13 billion, marking a significant increase of 133%.

At the end of the fiscal year, BCEAO's net profit was CFA315.6 billion. Apart from revenues generated by foreign currency assets, the institution benefited significantly from heightened refinancing demand by commercial banks. This demand resulted in a substantial increase in interest income, amounting to CFA329.4 billion, up 112%.

The Higher Authority of Audiovisual and Communication of Togo (HAAC) has temporarily suspended the issuance of accreditations for foreign media correspondents covering the legislative and regional elections on April 29, 2024.

This decision follows the apprehension and expulsion of journalist Thomas Pierre Dietrich, a special envoy from Africa XXI Channel, who, according to Togolese authorities, illegally entered the country and acted as an activist.

Despite the suspension of new accreditations, the Togolese media regulator urges foreign media correspondents already present to continue covering the electoral campaign.

HAAC's decision is also motivated by "serious shortcomings" it claims to have identified in the recent coverage of Togolese news by the RFI and France 24 media groups.

Esaïe Edoh