Togo: 63 years of independence and focus on the military, paramilitary, and civilian parade.
On April 27, 2023, Togo celebrated its 63rd anniversary of independence with a grand military, paramilitary, and civilian parade. The President of the Togolese Republic.
His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, after relighting the flame of self-determination at Independence Square on Wednesday evening, presided over the military and civilian parade.
It was a moment for the Togolese military to reaffirm their determination to combat any external aggression against the nation, particularly terrorism. «For the homeland, for Togo, we will be there. We will be there to defend our homeland, Togo», sang the commando parachute regiment, accompanied by the regiment’s band.
Also known as the «Red Berets», they were applauded by the crowd and the authorities present at the parade square of the Togolese Republic. The same scene unfolded with the presidential guard’s commando paratroopers.
«We will undoubtedly win this battle», they repeated in their characteristic manner during such military and paramilitary parades.
The passages of the rapid intervention battalions were also highly acclaimed moments, especially with their artillery, motorized vehicles, various tanks such as Scorpions, LAV (light armored vehicle), machine guns, among others.
« I believe they deserve to be encouraged and even supported. That’s why I applauded», said a teacher who attended the exhibition. A total of 4,502 armed forces personnel marched in Lomé.
«My warm congratulations for the excellent performance and quality of the parades», declared Faure Gnassingbé on the microphone before leaving the parade square.
As a reminder, since November 2021, Togo has been attacked in the northern region bordering Burkina Faso by terrorists from the Sahelian branch of Al-Qaeda, who are targeting innocent citizens.
Togolese armed forces are deployed in the area as part of Operation Koundjouaré to combat and prevent their incursions.
Kodjovi Makafui
