The National Assembly of Togo adopted, Friday, April 22, a resolution in favor of the integration of the country into the Commonwealth or Commonwealth of Nations.
“On behalf of the Togolese people, the National Assembly expresses its support for Togo’s process of joining the Commonwealth,” the resolution reads. It is therefore up to the government to present its request to the intergovernmental organization at its next summit, which will take place in Rwanda next June.
“It would be desirable for Togo to submit its official candidacy on time. The Commonwealth Secretariat has informed our country that the last consultation could be done as soon as possible so that from the next meeting on June 20, our country can take its place,” said Christian Trimua, the government spokesperson and Minister of Human Rights and Relations with the Institutions of the Republic.
This project to join the Commonwealth dates back to 2014. Assessment missions from the bloc have already visited Lomé in recent years to ensure compliance with certain principles (democracy, rule of law, freedom of the press, etc.) of the part of this French-speaking West African country.
Several reasons push African countries to eye the Commonwealth, including the use of the English language and the good economic health of the majority of the members. For the President of the Togolese Parliament, Yawa Tsegan, Togo’s initiative is motivated by the need to strengthen its English teaching programs and reactivate other partnerships without leaving the Francophonie.
Togo is following in the footsteps of Gabon, which will join the organization this year. For now, the Commonwealth, founded in 1949, has 19 African countries within it. Most of the members are from former British colonies.
By OMA Newsletter N° 684 of 26/04/2022
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