On 24 July 2019, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)/ Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) concluded its first visit to Togo. The visit was conducted at the request of the Togolese authorities in their efforts to build their capacity to address the threats and challenges of radicalization and terrorism. During the three-day visit, the delegation met with representatives of a number of ministries and departments engaged in counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism. The delegation also conducted on-site visits to the International Airport of Gnassingbe Eyadéma, the financial intelligence unit, the National Human Rights Commission and the border post with Benin and held meetings with representatives of civil society organizations, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the United Nations Country Team, and members of the international community. The authorities expressed their gratitude for the readiness with which the CTC deployed an assessment mission.
With the excellent coordination and participation of Togolese authorities, the delegation was able to engage on a full range of issues from legal and criminal justice to the financing of terrorism, border security and law enforcement and countering violent extremism. The team benefited from the expertise of representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The delegation noted the proactive stance of the Togolese authorities which have launched a series of evaluations, together with the international community, to understand the potential root causes and other drivers of terrorist activity, as well as identified areas where technical assistance would be useful to strengthen responses in compliance with international requirements.