Togo: several appointments at the head of the army and intelligence services

Togo is reorganizing its military and security hierarchy. Nearly ten presidential decrees have officially confirmed several appointments within the Togolese armed forces (FAT), intelligence services, and civil aviation.

The main change concerns Colonel Tchakpelé Aklesso. Promoted to brigadier general, he becomes the new chief of the general staff of the FAT. He previously led the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) after serving as chief of the presidential guard.

His departure from the ANR leads to the appointment of another colonel to head the agency. The identity of the new head of intelligence services has not been specified in the available information.

Several changes in the chain of command

The reorganization also affects the main components of the army. Colonel Kombaté Latiembe takes command of the land forces, while the air force is now led by Colonel Idrissou Abdu Ahabou.

According to observers cited in Lomé, these two appointments tend to refute the rumors that recently suggested they were in disgrace. However, the decrees do not provide any explanation regarding the changes made within the military hierarchy.

Colonel Kilimou Mazama Esso is appointed chief of the personal staff of the Council President, Faure Gnassingbé. This position places the officer within the military apparatus directly linked to the presidency of the Council.

The new responsibilities assigned to General Tchakpelé Aklesso should notably focus on coordinating between the various branches of the FAT, defending the territory, and combating armed groups, in the context of a persistent terrorist threat in the northern part of the country. These priorities are mentioned by security and diplomatic sources and do not constitute an officially detailed roadmap in the published decrees.

Finally, a brigadier general presented as a pilot takes charge of the National Civil Aviation Agency. The name of this officer has not been disclosed in the available materials.