Togo was actively involved in the process to develop a Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and was among the first group of states to endorse the Political Declaration in Dublin in November 2022. Togo participated in the Vienna Conference on the Protection of Civilians in Urban Warfare in October 2019,1 as well as in the consultation for a Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in 2020 but did not issue any statement.2 At the fourth round of consultations in April 2022, Togo expressed support for the Political Declaration and noted with satisfaction that the draft takes into account states’ responsibility in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance.3
Statements and positions
During the June 2012 Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, Togo expressed concern at the high number of civilians killed by explosive weapons in armed conflict.4
Alongside its individual statements, Togo has also aligned with other states to deliver statements on explosive weapons in populated areas. In 2017, Togo endorsed the communiqué arising from the Maputo Regional Meeting on Protecting Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas5. The Maputo Communiqué discussed the harms of explosive weapons in populated areas, the role of African states in working against it, and the need to create a Political Declaration on the matter. The 19 African states present agreed to work independently and cooperatively to, inter alia: avoid the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas; encourage collection of data and information; fully support the process towards adoption of an international Political Declaration; promote bilateral and regional cooperation through sharing experiences, good practices and expertise on reducing the harm caused by explosive weapons to civilians; constructively engage in discussions and initiatives at international level that could effectively provide greater protection to civilians in armed conflicts; foster deeper and further engagement from African States; and strengthen cooperation and partnerships with international organizations and civil society organisations to draw upon their relevant expertise and support.
As a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Togo aligned with World Humanitarian Summit Core Commitments to “Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity” in May 2016, including the commitment “to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations.”6