Togo Sahel Displacement Ministerial Meeting: West Africa Boosts Refugee Protection

• Togo hosted a ministerial meeting in September 2025 with Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana to strengthen coordination on Sahel displacement.
• This was the second round of regional dialogue, following the 2025 inaugural meeting that produced the Lomé Declaration.
• The Lomé Declaration, which remains a relevant framework, calls for stronger non-refoulement safeguards, simplified refugee status determination procedures, and closer regional coordination.
• By the end of 2025, over 170,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Burkina Faso, were registered in the four coastal countries.
• Togo alone hosted nearly 50,000 refugees and asylum seekers by the end of 2024, with the number increasing to 65,100 by June 2026.

The Lomé Declaration, a key outcome of the 2025 inaugural meeting, outlines several critical provisions aimed at fortifying the West Africa forced displacement legal framework.

A significant ministerial meeting was held in Lomé, Togo, in September 2025, bringing together high-level representatives from Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. This gathering represented the second round of a crucial regional dialogue focused on national security and the pressing issue of refugee protection. The primary objective of these discussions was to enhance coordination among the participating nations in their collective response to the escalating forced displacement crisis stemming from instability in the Sahel region.

The September 2025 Togo Sahel displacement ministerial meeting built upon the foundational work established during an inaugural gathering held in 2025. That initial meeting culminated in the adoption of the Lomé Declaration, a landmark agreement designed to bolster regional efforts. The dialogue sought to operationalize the commitments made in this declaration, particularly concerning the shared responsibilities and strategies for managing the influx of displaced populations.

The participating countries are acutely aware of the growing humanitarian challenges and the need for a unified approach. By fostering closer collaboration, these West African nations aim to create a more robust and harmonized framework for addressing the complex dynamics of forced displacement, ensuring both national security interests and the fundamental rights of those seeking refuge are upheld across the sub-region.

The Lomé Declaration, a key outcome of the 2025 inaugural meeting and signed in September 2025, outlines several critical provisions aimed at fortifying the West Africa forced displacement legal framework. Regional cooperation continues to be advanced through frameworks like the Lomé Declaration. Central to these commitments is the call for stronger safeguards for the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they face a serious threat to their life or freedom. This principle is a cornerstone of international refugee law, and its reinforcement is vital for protecting vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, the declaration advocates for simplified refugee status determination procedures across the five nations. This streamlining is intended to ensure more efficient and equitable processing of asylum claims, providing clarity and legal certainty for individuals fleeing conflict and persecution. Such procedural improvements are crucial for effective Sahel refugee protection in West Africa, ensuring that those in need receive timely assistance and legal recognition.

Beyond legal principles, the Lomé Declaration also emphasizes the necessity of closer coordination among Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. This includes sharing information, harmonizing policies, and developing joint strategies to manage the humanitarian and security implications of forced displacement. The ministerial meeting served as a platform to advance these coordination efforts, translating the declaration's aspirations into concrete, actionable plans for regional stability and human rights.

The urgency of the current discussions is underscored by the dramatic increase in forced displacement across the region. Data presented at the ministerial meeting revealed that by the end of 2025, more than 170,000 refugees and asylum seekers had been registered across Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. The vast majority of these individuals originated from Burkina Faso, highlighting the direct impact of the Sahel crisis on neighboring coastal states.

UNHCR data further illustrates the escalating pressure on these host countries. By the close of 2024, the four coastal nations were already accommodating approximately 135,300 registered refugees and asylum seekers in their northern regions alone. This figure represented a substantial 83% increase compared to the previous year. When including individuals awaiting official registration, the total number of displaced persons approached 160,000 by the end of 2024.

Togo has borne a significant portion of this displacement burden. By the end of 2024, the country was hosting nearly 50,000 refugees and asylum seekers. As of June 2026, Togo hosted 65,100 refugees and asylum-seekers, with 86 percent originating from Burkina Faso. The concentration of displaced persons is particularly acute in certain areas; for instance, in Togo's Savanes region, close to 40,000 refugees and asylum seekers were recorded in January 2025. This growing refugee population not only necessitates robust protection measures but also places considerable additional strain on existing social services and the resilience of host communities.

Lawyers advising clients on immigration, asylum, or human rights in West Africa should monitor the outcomes of these regional talks, as they signal potential shifts in national policies regarding refugee status determination, non-refoulement, and regional cooperation on forced displacement. The ongoing discussions and the Lomé Declaration indicate a concerted effort to strengthen legal safeguards for displaced persons, which could impact future case law and administrative practices.

Source: Original reporting via VOA News