Dakar, 2 March 2024 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, undertook from 29 February to 2 March a working visit to Togo.

The objective of the visit was to take part in the dialogue with the young women and men of the sub-region, who met in Lomé on 29 February to discuss various issues pertaining to peace, security, as well as the national and sub-regional socio-political situation.

More than a hundred participants, representatives of women's and youth organizations from Togo, as well as from other countries of the sub-region, the administration and institutions of the Togolese Republic, the Defence and Security Forces (FDS), customary authorities, political parties, and trade unions expressed their views and perspectives on their participation in the upcoming elections in their respective countries, and the challenges they face and their expectations in electoral processes. The regional dialogue was also a framework for sharing good practices and initiatives to be put in place. It gathered the opinions and expectations of young people in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo regarding the electoral issues and the actions to be taken to achieve lasting peace in the countries of the subregion.

In his statement, the Special Representative recalled the importance of the participation of young people and their contribution to the holding of peaceful elections in the countries of the sub-region that are preparing to hold elections this year. "It is vital to take the necessary measures to further support young people and women whose contribution to elections is a guarantee of the sustainable development of the countries of the sub-region, because without the involvement and active participation of young women and men, it will be difficult to face the many challenges," he said.

During his visit, the Special Representative had a meeting with the United Nations country team. He encouraged the various agencies to continue their support for peacebuilding and sustainable development in Togo.