LM Report 2003

Togo

Key developments since May 2002: Togo submitted its initial Article 7 report, declaring a stockpile of 436 antipersonnel mines, all of which will be retained for training.

Togo signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997, ratified it on 9 March 2000 and became a State Party on 1 September 2000. Togo’s initial Article 7 transparency report, due on 28 February 2001, was submitted on 11 April 2003. The report stated that “preparation of legislative texts was underway.”^[1] Earlier, in December 2002, Togo's new Minister of Foreign Affairs told Landmine Monitor that he was prepared to push his country to comply with the treaty obligation for national implementation measures.^[2]

Togo is not known to have produced, transferred or used antipersonnel mines.^[3]

Togo declared a stockpile of 436 antipersonnel mines of Korean origin, all of which will be retained for training.^[4] The head of the Military Cabinet of the President confirmed Togo's respect of its treaty obligations during participation in peacekeeping operations in Africa.^[5]

Togo did not attend the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002 because of financial constraints.^[6] It attended the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and May 2003.

On 22 November 2002, Togo voted in favor of the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74, promoting the universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty.

Togo is not mine-affected. However, the Army considers the training of its deminers in new techniques to be important and would like them to participate in training sessions at the ECOWAS regional mine clearance training center in Ouidah, Benin, which was inaugurated in April 2003.^[7]

[1] Article 7 Report, Form A, 11 April 2003.
[2] Interview with Roland Kpotsra, Permanent Representative of Togo to the UN in New York, New York, 4 December 2002. Kpotsra is now Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
[3] Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 159.
[4] Article 7, Forms B and D, 11 April 2003.
[5] Interview with Lt-Col. Wenmiba Aradjo, Head of the Military Cabinet of the President of the Republic, Lomé, 3 December 2002.
[6] Interview with Frank Kpayedo, Head of the Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lomé, 3 December 2002.
[7] Interview with Lt-Col. Wenmiba Aradjo, Military Cabinet of the President, 3 December 2002.