Timbuktu Institute Week 1, September 2026

In Togo, the news has been marked by the arrest of two French filmmakers, which has reignited diplomatic relations between Paris and Lomé. Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani were arrested on 27 July while filming a documentary near the Beninese border, in the Savanes region placed under a state of emergency.

Press freedom in Togo: after the arrest of two French journalists, the debate on reporting in a tense zone resurfaces

According to the Minister of Communication, “they are said to be journalists, but that remains to be documented. These two French nationals did not submit a formal request for press accreditation.” Authorities were prosecuting them, notably for making false statements. In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry (Quai d'Orsay) said that “Gaël Mocaër and Sebastian Perez Pezzani, filmmakers arrested in Togo on 27 July 2026, were granted provisional release on 1 September, with authorization to leave the country.” Their return to France was scheduled for 3 September. This affair once again raises the persistent question of press freedom in a tense security context.

Cybersecurity in Togo: Lomé banks on local expertise to counter cyberattacks

On the security front, the country continues to build its capacity against the scale of cyber threats. As part of the 2024-2028 National Cybersecurity Strategy, the National Cybersecurity Agency launched a call for tenders to pool expertise in the field, in order to prevent cyber threats, respond effectively to attacks and protect personal data, among other goals. According to the agency, “this talent pool is meant to enable ANCy to identify, qualify, register and, as needed, mobilize national expertise to contribute to technical, operational, research, development, training, awareness-raising or implementation-support missions.” Togo is thus opting for local expertise to ensure its sovereignty in this field. The authorities appear to understand that the country's security is also at stake in cyberspace, just as it is at land borders.

Xenophobic tensions in South Africa: Togo's diplomatic and humanitarian crisis management

Separately, Togo repatriated some twenty of its nationals following xenophobic tensions in South Africa last Sunday. This was a voluntary return operation fully funded by the Togolese state. As a reminder, African nationals residing in South Africa have for several months been subjected to unprecedented xenophobic treatment.