Togo to join Commonwealth

Togo's parliament in its capital Lome has been trying to join the Commonwealth since 2014 (Getty)

TOGO COULD become the latest country to join the Commonwealth after MPs passed a vote asking its Government to make a formal bid for membership on Friday.

The West-African country and former French colony has been trying to enter into what is known as the Commonwealth of Nations since 2014. 

If their membership is approved, they will become the 20th African country to join the club.

Togo is already a member of the Economic Organisation of West African States (Ecowas) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie – a group of French-speaking countries that are made up of mostly former colonies of the French.

Icilome, a Togolese news website, reported that parliament’s speaker, Yawa Tsegan said: “Togo is not leaving the Francophonie. It will only strengthen the English teaching programmes and reactivate other partnerships.”

Speaking on the latest bid, Foreign Minister Robert Dussey told AFP:  “Togo’s bid is on the right track and we are optimistic for the next stage of the process,” Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said after the latest visit.

“Togo’s bid is on the right track and we are optimistic for the next stage of the process.

“Togo is a politically stable country where there is peace and democracy.

“Geographically, our country is in a strategic position with enormous assets, including a deep water port… which opens up countries in the hinterland (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali).”

The Commonwealth remains one of the longest and most controversial legacies of the British Empire when the majority of the 54 countries that make up the political association were once former colonies of the British.

However, in recent times countries have voluntarily chosen to become members due to shared values of “prosperity, democracy and peace” as well as economic opportunity.

Rwanda was the last African country to join in 2009 and previously Mozambique – a former colony of the Portuguese – had their membership approved in 1995.

Despite many former colonies achieving independence, such as Barbados and Nigeria, the Queen still serves as a ceremonial figurehead while those that have championed to become a Republic still opt to remain as part of the Commonwealth.  

A total of 19 African countries and 12 Caribbean nations remain as part of the Commonwealth.

A spokesman for the Commonwealth Secretariat said:“We can confirm that Togo has expressed interest in becoming a Commonwealth member state. We are at the first step of the process, which could result in the government formally applying for membership.

“Decisions on membership are made by the 52 heads of government, who have laid out clear criteria for any country wishing to join.

“This includes an acceptance of Commonwealth fundamental values and principles, such as a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, the protection of human rights, and equality of opportunity.”

The Togolese parliament has officially asked the Government to submit its application to join the Commonwealth at the bloc’s next summit in Rwanda in June.

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1 Comment

  1. | Chaka Artwell

    Togo is a wonderful Country; and a future African bright economic star nation.

    I cannot think how Togo will benefit practically from join Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Club; especially as Her Majesty provides precious little practical assistance to the Commonwealth nations: beyond waving at children whilst on Royal Tours.

    Reply

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