Togo creates specialized unit to protect High Personalities and Institutions
Lomé – Togo has taken a decisive step in strengthening its institutional security with the creation of a specialized directorate for the protection of high-profile personalities and public institutions. Adopted on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Lomé under the chairmanship of Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council, the decree establishes an integrated structure bringing together elements from the police and national gendarmerie under unified command to optimize coordination and operational efficiency.
This reform addresses clear objectives: adapting the national security apparatus to changes in the security context and the growing international visibility of the country, particularly through hosting international events.
By pooling human and material resources, the directorate aims to professionalize the protection of institutions and their leaders while streamlining command to avoid traditional compartmentalization.
Beyond immediate security, the impact of this reform extends to the development of Togo.
Reliable protection of decision-makers and institutions forms a foundation for economic attractiveness, investor confidence, and diplomatic credibility.
It also helps ensure continuity of public action in a regional context marked by security uncertainties.
The creation of this directorate reflects a strategic vision by the state, recognizing that security of elites and state structures is inseparable from national stability and prosperity.
It represents an investment in order, cohesion, and the capacity of the country to maintain its position on the African and global stage.
Togo thus affirms its determination to combine international visibility with domestic security, demonstrating that efficiency and organization are instruments of sovereignty. This step toward reinforced protection of institutions is also a step toward a more resilient and confident state.
Kodjovi Makafui
